Max Gaertner is a percussionist, author and educator based in Frankfurt/Germany.

His work gained a lot of attention due to his vast experiments combining percussion instruments and electronics, including his approach of the "Hand-Mic-Technique" amongst others. Max’ debut single „Detach“ was released in 2023, he is a sought-after recording artist and tours extensively to spread his unique idea of innovative percussion practice. As a specialist in contemporary music performance he collaborated with artists and ensembles such as Marina Abramoviç, Lynsey Peisinger, Ensemble Modern, Berliner Philharmoniker. Collaborations with renowned international composers led to numerous world premieres as a soloist and with his ensemble.

Max graduated from the renowned university Hanns Eisler Berlin and gained his doctoral degree (Dr. Phil.) for a research on performing electroacoustic compositions for percussion. His research in percussion techniques, electroacoustic music performance and education has been published by SCHOTT Music and ARE edition. Max received several scholarships and is currently teaching at the University of Hamburg and BfSM Dinkelsbühl.