"O lo‘u tamā, o John Stowers, e sau mai le nu‘u o Lano, Savai‘i i le itu o lona tamā, ma le nu‘u o Mulifanua i le itu o lona tinā, o le aiga Amu po‘o Rivers."

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Ko Whangatauatia te maunga,
Ko Kariri te moana,
Ko Ahipara te marae,
Ko Te Rarawa te iwi,
Ko Tarutaru te hapū,
He uri ahau nō Te Rarawa, he uri nō Tarutaru.

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Max Stowers is a Samoan–Māori composer, bassist, and sonic storyteller from South Auckland, Aotearoa, focused on creating music for film and screen. His work blends Pacific rhythms, jazz, and contemporary soul to craft emotionally resonant, story-driven soundscapes grounded in cultural identity and lived experience.

Raised in a musical whānau, Max began performing alongside his parents—Samoan jazz pianist John Stowers and Māori jazz vocalist June Petricevich—developing a deep foundation in improvisation and groove that continues to inform his compositional voice. Deaf in one ear since birth, he learned entirely by ear, shaping an intuitive, texture-rich approach to sound and narrative.

Years of performing and touring with a wide range of artists have informed a broad musical perspective, deepening his sensitivity to culture, audience, and story—elements that now sit at the heart of his work for screen.

His earlier recordings, including Malaga (2003) and Elements of Funk (2016), established him within Aotearoa’s jazz and funk landscape and laid the groundwork for his evolution into composition.

Max is currently developing his practice in film composition through mentorship with Sean Tinnion, supported by Creative New Zealand, with a focus on scoring future film and visual media projects. Alongside this, he is preparing to release his third album in 2026 and leading a multidisciplinary arts project honouring the legacy of his father, John Stowers, exploring memory, heritage, and sound.

In parallel, he collaborates with his whānau through Moana Soul Collective, a songwriting and production project creating original contemporary music for other artists, reflecting a shared commitment to Pacific storytelling and creative exchange.

Working at the intersection of music, story, and culture, Max’s evolving practice is centred on composing for screen—creating cinematic sound worlds that connect Pacific identity with global storytelling.

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