MAX MERSENY

World Traveller is the name of saxophonist Max Merseny's latest album and it fits like a glove. His profession as a musician takes him to the most diverse corners of the world, where he is inspired by the everyday life of the people and their culture. No wonder his jazz sounds so different - with the soulful accents and modern beats. For him, travelling means collecting experiences and memories that no amount of money in the world can buy. When he's not on the road, he composes and practices in his basement at home in Munich and enjoys the luxury of sleeping in his own bed. Find out where the likeable musician prefers to go in his exclusive travel story.

New York City, USA

I have a permanent time problem and maybe that's why I fit in so well in my favorite city, New York. The small but subtle difference between me and the people who live there, however, is that in the city that never sleeps I can simply relax. And I can still do what I like to do best without time pressure: music. A musician is simply always a musician, you can't do anything about that.

New York is full of surprises and has much more to offer than Times Square or the Statue of Liberty. For me it gets really interesting when I can play together with the best musicians in the world in various clubs in the city. That's when the music really gets going. In the urban Club Village Underground there were even moments during the Open Stage nights where suddenly Chris Tucker or Robert Glaser were on stage. For me this definitely belongs to the category: Perfect day... or perfect night!

The New York club scene is a must-see. Clubs like the blue note, fat cat, Groove or sugar bar are worth visiting for their ambience alone. I recommend, however, to find out beforehand if you like the music in one of the clubs before you set off.

I especially love to observe how people from different cultures harmonize with each other and live together peacefully. I notice this especially when making music or eating together.

With all the "fancy" restaurants in New York, it's undoubtedly hard to decide where to go. I think to myself every time that the culinary New York highlights are hard to beat. It's rare to see such versatility and, above all, creativity. I remember two places in particular. The "TAO" on 16th Street and 9th Avenue offers Asian fusion cuisine. If you want to go there, you should definitely make a reservation in time to get a table. At 354 Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn you will find the restaurant "Fat Bastard" and you certainly don't come out of there in clean clothes at the traditional barbecue. But don't worry, it's worth it!

It might be a little unusual, but I'm totally into the parts of town that are mostly avoided by tourists. Unjustly in my eyes. Since I have always stayed privately in New York, I can unfortunately not recommend a specific hotel, but I would like to suggest that you can also take a hotel outside of Manhattan. In districts like Williamsburg or Queens one gets a completely new impression of New York and it is not far at all to Manhattan. One or two subway stations and one is already there. From Williamsburg it is three stations to Canal Street, there you end up directly in China Town and Little Italy is also only a few streets away. From Canal Street you can also just walk up Broadway. This is my shopping must-see. On the way, be sure to make a detour to the "Flight Club, one of the biggest sneaker stores in New York. It's even worth it just to snap a few photos.

New York is extraordinary and colorful. You have to see it yourself to understand what makes this city really special. And that is really a lot!

"New York has a lot more to offer than just Times Square or the Statue of Liberty."

My thoughts on New York

I love this place because...

the city is full of surprises in every respect, whether cultural, musical or culinary. That is also difficult to summarize in two sentences. But I can point out in advance that New York hides much more than Times Square and everything around it in a radius of 2km.

When I'm in New York, I love to...

to see how all the people from all parts of the world manage to live together in peace.

The Perfect Evening In New York Ends With...

a visit to the Village Underground. A club for live music, very urban. An open stage that is open to everyone, from amateur to full professional. From playing there myself there were also moments that Chris Tucker, Robert Glaser etc... suddenly stood on stage. In the meantime, things have changed so that since my last visit, the open mic is now in the Cafe Wha! is taking place.

What should you definitely see in New York?

there are too many... But great clubs for live music next to the world famous blue note are: fat cat, Zinc Bar, Groove, Dizzy's, Village Underground, sugar bar... Of course, a visit to the Apollo Theatre in Harlem also something special. It's best to check the programs of the clubs, whether it fits / pleases the music. But the ambience alone is worth it to visit the clubs mentioned. Most of the clubs are located in the East Village and are best reached with the following subway lines: Christopher Street get off with the red line (1,2,3) or blue/orange line W 4St Wash Sq Pk (A,B,C,D,E,F,M). From there it is all very walkable.

The most extraordinary place in New York is...

there are too many.... and probably for every New Yorker, or tourist in a different special place.

Your favorite travel destination summed up in one sentence:

Experience it yourself, hard to put into words.

A look into my life

It inspires me:

Everyday life. Any kind of music, culture and people.

How would a good friend describe you?

It's best to ask yourself...

Her lifestyle in 5 words:

Organized, yet chaotic. Permanent time problem

Her philosophy of life:

Music For The Soul

What else should we know about you?

I make the best omelet in the world.

Traveling means to you:

Experiences, memories that cannot be paid for with any money in the world.

Picture credits: bigstockphoto  bigstockphoto.com; Flight Club www.flightclub.com; Fat sow BBQ www.fettesaubbq.com; TAO taorestaurant.com ; Wythe Hotel wythehotel.com