New Single ‘Fragile’ released 21st March 2025

The first single from Max Greenwood’s follow up to ‘In the Quiet of the Evening’, “A shimmering candle of hope and beacon of reflective positivity” **** Irish Times, is a piano interpretation of the song Fragile by Sting.  Taken from the upcoming album Moderns Standards, an eclectic collection of solo piano performances of modern pop hits, Fragile speaks to strength and vulnerability in a changing world.

“Modern Standards is me enjoying exploring the chords and melodies of pop hits I like in a hymn-like way, revealing some of the bare-bones beauty in the harmony of these pop classics.”

Max’s Lounge continues at The United Arts Club, Dublin on Friday 28th Febuary.

Max will be at the piano hosting special guests Mary Barnecutt and Gerr Walsh for an evening of music, chats and stories about the songs we love and why.

Book Here on Eventbrite

About the Artists

Cellist and Songwriter Mary Barnecutt combines insight, humour and literary lyrical approaches in unique songs on albums Into Air and Like Water, and arranges music for film, theatre, dance productions, collaborating with Liz Roche, Justine Doswell, Amanda Coogan, Adrian Crowley, Ruth O’Mahony Brady and Ray Harman.

Irish Indie Folk artist Gerr Walsh releases his next single, When The Stars Don’t Work on 21st Feburary.  Known for evocative, cinematic songs, a string of recent singles have received good airplay across different radio shows.  When The Stars Don’t Work honours the enduring love and invaluable lessons that continue to shape us.  “Beautifully hypnotic songs” Fiachna O’Braoinán RTE Radio.

From Nottingham, 20 years based in Dublin, Max Greenwood is known for his poetic, soulful, and jazz-influenced songwriting style, led by a delicate and expansive touch on the piano, featured on critically acclaimed albums of his own, and on records with others, including co-writes with Grammy-nominated and MOBO award-winning artists.  On 21st March he releases debut single Fragile from his upcoming album Hymns.  “Don’t miss him Live” **** Irish Times.

Max’s Lounge, Friday 28th Feb 2025 at The United Arts Club, 3 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2, D02 RR50.  8pm €15/€10 for members

“A comforting collection of tender instrumentals, deceptively minimal, a timely musical paean to slowing down and taking stock, comprising eight tracks over 35 soothing minutes that will entice listeners to play the album again and again.  In the Quiet of Evening is a safe and cosy place to luxuriate in this winter, a shimmering candle of hope and beacon of reflective positivity.

**** Irish Times

In the Quiet of the Evening features eight solo piano compositions combining relaxing, meditative calm with flights of improvisation, a mix of Joep Beving or Olafur Arnalds, and Keith Jarrett. Recorded at home on a 1977 Japanese upright piano, Max’s goal was to capture a simple, non-studio sound, including subtle outdoor evening ambience.

“I love the quiet evening once the busyness of the day settles – this album aims to capture that mood in a recording.  Gentle night-time suburban ambience is included, giving a kind of subtle tape-hiss quality, which I love in old recordings.”

The album was launched at The Fumbally Stables.  Find excerpts on YouTube here.

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From Nottingham, Max has lived in Ireland since 2005.  An improvisor, songwriter and composer known for his delicate touch on the piano, his playing is influenced by Folk traditions, Gospel, Blues & Jazz.   With two critically acclaimed albums of original songs, soundtrack sync placements in Film and TV, he has co-written with Tom Baxter and for Grammy-nominated and MOBO award-winner Jamie Cullum.  

Shows at The National Concert Hall, Theatres, Festivals, TV shows Other Voices and Later With Jools Holland, sees Max playing solo and in various line-ups across Europe.  Collaborators include Mundy, Jerry Fish, Folk trio Iona Sound, Blues band OTIS,  Tom Baxter (Better), Liam Ó Maonlaí (The Hothouse Flowers), Iarla Ó’Lionáird (The Gloaming), Mik Pyro (Republic of Loose), Jack L, Vyvienne Long, Albert Hammond (The Air That I Breathe), Adrian Crowley, Charlie Winston, Gerr Walsh, Fionn Regan, and The London Community Gospel Choir.

In Education, Max is a Lead Lecturer in Songwriting and Music Arranging Aesthetic at Third-Level BIMM Institute, and Piano Teacher at Secondary Level in Blackrock College, Dublin.

A research project funded by BIMM Institute helped Max develop ‘Modelled Learning’ approaches for online groups, which drove strong engagement and achievement, resulting in the redesign of BIMM Institute modules.

Community Songwriting-Performance projects include The Point of the Tide (Sing a Song of Docklands), commissioned by Dublin City Council to celebrate the culture and history of Dublin’s Docklands, in collaboration with artist Jerry Fish and youths from Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre.

Max is currently finishing writing an album of new songs, and has developed a repertoire of Hymn-like versions of 1980s Pop Classics pencilled in for recording soon.

Piano Playing

“Savage player, really melodic” – Mik Pyro, Republic of Loose

“Best Piano Player in Ireland” – Stephen Shannon, Producer, Experimental Audio

“Impeccable timing” – Conor Brady (The Blades, Terence Trent D’Arby, Toots & The Maytals)

“An exceptional touch” – Tom Baxter, Singer-Songwriter

Songwriting Tuition 

“Max created a relaxed, free-flowing environment that empowered people to explore their own creativity and expression; combined with a great knowledge of piano, recording, and songwriting.  My own songwriting developed into new, unexplored areas based on things I picked up from Max.” – Luke Power, BA Songwriting student.

“An approachable and fun teacher…adapts his style and level to suit what you want to achieve.. Even when I was feeling creatively stunted he always found ways of encouraging me to keep going..  very enthusiastic about helping you reach your potential.”- Fiona Hannon (Darwin’s Daughter), Songwriting Diploma student.

“A reflective process helped me to embrace newer ways to approach my writing….Max always went the extra mile.” – Dr. Fiona Weldon, Songwriting Diploma student.

“Caters for all levels of musicianship… Music Production taught in ways that made sense… enthusiastic and genuinely interested in students musical ability.” – Katie Phelan, BA Songwriting student.

“Feedback was always constructive and clear… a good balance between creative encouragement and a business approach to songwriting/performing.” – Ailsha Davey, Songwriter, Composer.

“Good practical advice with chords and song sections.” – Niall Sheedy, Songwriter.