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.

Maxwell took part in James Cotton's 1997 Grammy winning album "Deep In The Blues". He also has played on other albums nominated for Grammys, as well as many more that were nominated for WC Handy Blues Music Awards. David's album "You Got To Move", featuring Louisiana Red, won the 2011 Acoustic Album of the Year Blues Music Award. David has been nominated nine times for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award, as well. 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

Highlights:

Eight W.C. Handy/Blues Music Award Nominations

(1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011)

2010:

Winner of 2010 Blues Music Awards Acoustic Album of the Year Award "You Got To Move" with Louisiana Red

2010 Blues Music Award nomination "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the year"

2004:

"Max Attack" (David Maxwell and Friends) Released in the U.S.

Chicago Blues Festival (solo performance & with Hubert Sumlin)

Scandivavian Tour (with Hubert Sumlin & David Johansen)

2003:

Blues Music Award for "35 Anniversary Jam" with James Cotton

"Max Attack" (Dixiefrog) released in Europe

Motor City Boogie Woogie and Blues Festival, Detroit MI (solo performance)

Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. (with James Cotton)

Tanglewood Jazz and Blues Festival, Lenox, MA (with Louisiana Red)

North Atlantic Blues Festival, Rockland, ME (with Boston Blues Explosion)

Maximum Blues Festival, Quebec, Canada (with Muddy Waters tribute band)

Two week tour thru France

Notodden Festival, Norway (with Jelly Roll Kings, Muddy Waters Tribute Band and Big Jack Johnson)

Boston Blues Festival - Guitar Summit Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA (Hubert Sumlin, J. Geils, Johnny Moeller & Kid Bangham)

Ottawa Blues Festival, Canada (solo performance)

2002:

Chicago Blues Festival (solo performance and with James Cotton Band)

Hubert Sumlin Tour in England

Tour of Israel (backed up by Ronnie Peterson Band)

2001:

Amal Festival, Sweden (solo and with Mojo Buford)

Marshfield Fair, MA (Maximum Blues Band)

King Biscuit Festival, Helena, AK (with Levon Helm)

2000:

Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Davenport, IO (with Roy Gaines)

Poconos Festival, PA (with James Cotton)

King Biscuit Festival, Helena, AK (with James Cotton and with Roy Gaines)

The Jazz Club and The Blue Note Club, Hong Kong (solo performances)

Motor City Boogie Woogie and Blues Festival, Detroit, MI (solo performance)

Queen City Festival, Cinncinatti, OH (solo performance)

Reading Blues Festival, PA (solo performance)

Allentown Festival, PA (solo performance)

Amnesty International Benefit, New England (headline performer)

1999:

Guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC Network Television

Boston Globe Jazz Fetival, MA (Maximum Blues Band)

Queen City Festival, Cinncinatti, OH (solo performance)

Chenango Festival, Norwich, NY (solo performance)

Ann Arbor Boogie Woogie Blues Festival, MI (solo performance)

1998:

W.C. Handy Awards Ceremony, Memphis TN (solo performance)

Poconos Festival, PA (with Jesse Yawn and with Otis Rush)

Marshfield Fair, MA (Maximum Blues Band)

Queen City Festival, Cinncinatti, OH (solo performance)

Many other festivals with James Cotton.

1997:

"Maximum Blues Piano" (Tone Cool) released

Grammy award and Blues Music award for "Deep In The Blues" with James Cotton

1987:

Chicago Blues Festival (with Buddy Guy, Luther Johnson and Andrew Oldham)

1973:

Montreux Festival (with Freddie King)

1972:

Ann Arbor Festival (with Freddie King)

Madison Square Garden, NYC, New Year's Eve (with Freddie King)

1969:

Dick Cavett TV Show with John Lee Hooker

David has taught workshops and lecture/demonstrations over the years in schools and at festivals. He is a visiting faculty member of Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA.
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