Maximilian Hering | The Gathering | January 23, 2026

German drummer and composer Maximilian Hering has built a reputation as a versatile musician, with a rich catalogue as a sideman, collaborations across Europe, and music for film and interdisciplinary projects. His own ensembles, however, allow him to explore a more personal musical vision. The Maximilian Hering Group – a “chordless” ensemble featuring horns and rhythm – thrives on collective expression, spontaneity, and the dynamic interplay that emerges when each voice is given room to breathe.

The Gathering is set for release on January 23, 2026, via Klangraum Records.

Founded in 2018 when Hering brought together his favorite musicians from Barcelona’s local jazz scene for a club performance, the group quickly discovered a natural chemistry. The initial quartet – two horns, bass, and drums – allowed for full individual expression while maintaining a shared musical direction. Since then, the ensemble has expanded, regularly performing with flautist Fernando Brox and, for this album, guest pianist Lucia Fumero, whose Latin-influenced touch adds new color to the group’s sound.

The Gathering balances spontaneity with structure. Half of the compositions are written by the band members, introducing a diversity of perspectives and voices. Instrumentation is varied, with flugelhorn, bass clarinet, flute, saxophone and piano giving each track a distinct texture and sense of space.

The album’s nine tracks carry stories and inspirations that range from intimate to playful. “Moles on her skin,” “519 km is too far for kissing you,” and “Entre tu y yo” explore facets of love and connection. “Ojo de madera” takes its cue from a piece of wood that seemed to stare back, while “Oliver” pays homage to Olivier Messiaen and his modes. “Gleisgeflüster” evokes the nocturnal whispers of cargo trains, and “Route A66” plays on the intersection of the famous American highway and the German autobahn connecting Frankfurt and Mainz.

Throughout, the chordless setup defines the group’s approach: melodies and harmonic frameworks provide grounding, while solos consistently push boundaries, giving the ensemble a sound that is at once free, lyrical, and distinctively their own.

Line up

Track Listing

Moles on her skin
Ojo de Madera
The Gat·hering
519 km is too far for kissing you
Oliver
Route A66
Entre tu y yo
Gleisgeflüster
Summer in PT

PR Quotes

JazzTrail (USA)
“throughout the album, the sense of collective integration is strong, underscoring the cohesion and shared vision of this ensemble”

Paris-move (FR)
“What ultimately defines The Gathering is its aesthetic range. The album moves fluidly between passages of striking lyricism and moments of deliberate fragmentation”

Jazz Views (UK)
“The Gathering works because the band keeps things sharp. Lines snap into place, flare out, trade energy back and forth, and the solos aren’t afraid to get a little rough.”

Jazzenzo (NL)
“A musical statement that places percussionist Hering in a distinctive position among contemporary jazz productions.”

Musik an sich (DE)
“Hering plays a crucial role alongside bassist David Muñoz, both maintaining a firm grasp on the rhythm. This allows the soloists to shine, expansive, and highly expressive, with ample room for interpretation.”

Jazzthetik (DE)
“A versatile, spirited alliance between Cologne and Catalonia”

JazzMania (BE)
“Melodies and harmonics play a game of cat and mouse here, to our great delight!”

Modern Drummer (USA)
“Young German drummer-composer Maximilian Hering has delivered a nice musical outing“

Jazz-fun (DE)
“The album thrives on collective creativity, musical curiosity, and a shared vision that blends structure and spontaneity”

Esensja (PL)
“here’s so much joy and liveliness in this music”

La Jazz Scene (USA)
“The musicians are all top-notch improvisers who are not shy to both embrace melodies and stretch themselves during their unpredictable solos”

Jazz Weekly (USA)
“a welcome gathering”

Era Jazzu (PL)
“a sound that is simultaneously free, lyrical, and modern“