David Maxwell

David Maxwell has amassed an enormous resume throughout the years playing piano with some of the greatest and well- known musicians in the blues. David plays many styles of blues, jazz and improvised music, but he is best known for his soulful virtuosity and unmatched ability to reach the heart of post-war Chicago Blues. Through his work, he has gained the respect of artists, critics and fans and has established a reputation as one of the finest blues pianists alive.

Over the last decade, Maxwell has received over a half dozen WC Handy and Grammy nominations and a Grammy Award for recorded work, as well as Handy nominations for instrumental performance He has played with many of the greats including tours with Freddie King, Bonnie Raitt, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Rodgers, Charley Musselwhite, Johnny Adams and Ronnie Earl; and gigs with Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Levon Helm, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lowell Fulsom, Junior Wells and many others. He has been involved in well over fifty recording sessions and can be found playing keys on many blues albums that have been released over the last 25 years. David backed up Keith Richards and Eric Clapton for Hubert Sumlin's CD, “About Them Shoes” released in 2005.

David's music was used in the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” and in the TV series “Touched By An Angel”. He has performed on “Late Night With Conan O' Brien” and is on several videos playing with Freddie King in the early 70's. (Rounder). David's first CD as a leader “Maximum Blues Piano”(1997, Tonecool) received high critical acclaim. His new album, “Max Attack” (2005 95North Records), features guests James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins .

David has performed in major festivals, theaters and clubs in North America, Europe, Scandinavia, Morocco, Israel, and Japan, and keeps busy today playing, recording, and teaching (and nurturing his interests in jazz, ethnic and improvised music.).

Maxwell is often compared to the great blues pianist Otis Spann (of the Muddy Waters band), for his ability to resurrect the spirit and sound of the master of post-war Chicago Blues Piano. But Maxwell is no mere imitation. He has created a style and sound uniquely his own. His diverse experience, technical virtuosity, sense of timing and rhythm, and ability to complement other band members has earned Maxwell a reputation as one of the finest blues pianists alive.

Touring Band Member with Freddie King, James Cotton, Jimmy Rogers, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Rush, and Hubert Sumlin.

Performed with Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy Withersoon, Big Walter Horton, Rufus Thomas, Big Mama Thornton, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Albert Collins, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Robert Lockwood Jr., Memphis Slim, Hubert Sumlin, John Hammond, Kim Wilson, Junior Wells, Charlie Musselwhite, John Mooney, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Shines, Johnny Adams, Billy Branch, Margie Evans, Jimmy Johnson, Fenton Robinson, John Primer, Paul Oscher, Tracy Nelson, Sippie Wallace, Odetta, Levon Helm, Mojo Buford, Snooky Pryor, J. Geils, Jerry Portnoy, Sugar Ray Norcia and Bob Margolin.

“I don't think anybody could be tighter playing the blues on the piano than David Maxwell. He plays the blues like it should be played. He plays the low-down, dirty, funky blues. He's got it all together.”

John Lee Hooker

“Dave has always been one of the most amazing piano players I've ever heard. Maximum Blues Piano showcases all of his strengths and is a great ride.”

Bonnie Raitt

“David Maxwell plays with fire and soul. He keeps the spirit of Otis Spann alive.”

James Cotton

You remind me of the old guys - T-Bone Walker, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles. You've got a lot of talent on your hands.”

Otis Rush

“David Maxwell and Otis Spann are the baddest two piano players I know.”

Junior Wells

“Pinetop Perkins is a wonderful living legend of Muddy Waters' era piano boogie, but for my money nobody does Otis Spann like David Maxwell”

Don Wilcock-Blueswax Show less