Max & Veronica are among the leading ambassadors of early American roots music in Europe. Their unique blend of ragtime, country blues, early jazz and hillbilly music captures the authentic sound of the 1920s and 1930s while bringing it to life for contemporary audiences.
Max De Bernardi is a master of fingerpicking guitar, drawing inspiration from legendary artists such as Mississippi John Hurt, Furry Lewis, Blind Blake and Reverend Gary Davis. His musical journey began as a young street busker and grew through years of touring on major national and international stages. After his early experiences with electric blues bands in the 1980s, Max returned to acoustic blues in 2001 with his album Stories We Can Tell and went on to collaborate with American artists such as Mitch Woods, Tom Russell, Lowell “Banana” Lavinger, Sugar Blue among others. Over the years, he has performed at the most prestigious blues festivals in Europe and worked with top musicians in the roots scene.
Veronica Sbergia is an award-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist, celebrated for her warm, expressive vocals and her mastery of early blues and roots styles. She is particularly known for her work in country blues, ragtime and jazz music, blending tradition with her own modern artistic vision. With her project Veronica & The Red Wine Serenaders, she won the European Blues Challenge in 2013 and received the prestigious MEI Award in Italy.
Together, Max & Veronica have toured extensively across Europe, performing at major festivals such as Gate to Southwell Folk Festival, Lugano Blues To Bop, Cognac Blues Passions, Edinburgh Jazz & Blues, Pistoia Blues, Notodden Blues Festival, Lucerne Blues Festival and Shetland Folk Festival. Their concerts are a journey into the heart of early blues and American roots music, enriched by storytelling, vintage arrangements and timeless energy.
They released nine albums between 2007 and 2024, including the critically acclaimed Bawdy Black Pearls, a bold tribute to early female blues songs.
Their performances are a warm, powerful and joyful celebration of the past, brought to life with great musicianship, heart and soul. Max and Veronica’s natural on-stage chemistry, quick wit, and playful banter draw the audience in and make every show feel personal and unique. They blend powerful musicianship with light-hearted storytelling, creating a joyful atmosphere that mirrors the spirit of early blues and roots music.
