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What People Are Saying

About John

 

“He plays with very good fluidity and taste, and some nice slide. His vocals are pleasantly lacking in fake black-isms that are the bane of ‘white bluesmen’. Even better, he sings the meaning of the words and understands that the story of the lyrics is vital”.

Bruce Iglauer- Alligator Records


“John Greyhound Maxwell (is) a particularly refined and eloquent slide and fingerpicking roots and blues guitarist and singer/songwriter.

Frrank Matheis – countryblues.com


“Laid back elegance and a sort off off-hand virtuosity. Very smooth and mellow.” Paul Rishell- W.C. Handy Award winner.

You have to play for a long time before you sound like your self

Gigs

Calendar

2017

  • Thu
    05
    Jan
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Thu
    19
    Jan
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Thu
    02
    Feb
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Thu
    16
    Feb
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Sun
    19
    Feb
    2017

    Event postponed

    7 to 10pm

    The Cellar Door

    940 Water St. #1

    Port Townsend Wa.

    If North bay blues man John Maxwell doesn't hook you with the opening slide riff of "St. James Infirmary," he'll hook you with his deep baritone voice. If he doesn't manage to hook you at all as he strums his way through the Louis Armstrong classic, odds are you're simply immune to the blues. David Emery-Marin IJ

  • Sun
    26
    Feb
    2017

    John and Steve Maxwell in a private house concert

    Port Townsend,Wa.

  • Thu
    02
    Mar
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell w/Steve Maxwell

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Thu
    16
    Mar
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Sun
    19
    Mar
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell and Jon Parry

    7 to 10pm

    The Cellar Door

    940 Water St. #1

    Port Townsend Wa.

    If North bay blues man John Maxwell doesn't hook you with the opening slide riff of "St. James Infirmary," he'll hook you with his deep baritone voice. If he doesn't manage to hook you at all as he strums his way through the Louis Armstrong classic, odds are you're simply immune to the blues. David Emery-Marin IJ

  • Wed
    29
    Mar
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell,Jon Parry,Guy Quintino

    8-11pm

    Highway 99 Blues Club

    1414 Alaskan Way

    Seattle

    hwy99Renowned blues fiddler Jon Parry and acoustic bass maestro Guy Quintino join me for an evening of classic and original acoustic blues at Seattle’s premier blues club.

  • Thu
    06
    Apr
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Thu
    20
    Apr
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Thu
    04
    May
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Sat
    06
    May
    2017

    KPTZ Beatle Retrospective

    7pm

    Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden

    Port Townsend, Wa.

     

    A benefit show produced by Paul Rogers for KPTZ radio

  • Sun
    07
    May
    2017

    KPTZ Beatle Retrospective

    2pm matinee

    Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden

    Port Townsend, Wa.

     

    A benefit show produced by Paul Rogers for KPTZ radio

  • Fri
    12
    May
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    8 to 10

    Rancho Nicasio

    On the Town Square

    Nicasio, Ca.

    415-662-2219

  • Wed
    17
    May
    2017

    Private House Party

    San Francisco

  • Fri
    19
    May
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    730pm

    Pink Flamingo Theater

    Monterey Ca.

    MFG

  • Sat
    20
    May
    2017
    Sun
    21
    May
    2017

    Corner Store West Mountain Jam Party 2017

    11am to 7pm

    Cachagua in the Carmel Valley

    1395880741337_mobileLargeFeaturing Joe Craven, Martin Grosswendt and many more…

  • Thu
    25
    May
    2017

    Centrum Blues Benefit

    730pm

     

    Triple Door

    Seattle, Wa.

    A stellar lineup including Mary Flower, Steve James, Orville Johnson, Sean Devine, Jon Parry, Matt Weiner, myself, and special guests?

  • Fri
    26
    May
    2017

    Northwest Folklife Festival 2017

    745pm to 815pm Back Porch Stage

    Seattle Center

    Seattle, Wa

  • Mon
    29
    May
    2017

    Washington Blues Society IBC

    1 to 7pm

    Capp's Club

    7620 NE Bothell Way

    Kenmore Wa

    John “Gray Hound” Maxwell

    and Jon Parry at 420pm

     

  • Thu
    01
    Jun
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Fri
    02
    Jun
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell and Jon Parry

    730pm

    The Uptown Pub

    1016 Lawrence St

    Port Townsend,WA

    Opening for Famous Lucy

  • Sun
    04
    Jun
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    9am to 12pm

    Aldrich's Acoustic Sunrise

    940 Lawrence St

    Port Townsend, Wa.

  • Tue
    13
    Jun
    2017

    David Lindley and John "Gray Hound" Maxwell

    730pm

    Wheeler Theater

    Fort Worden

    Port Townsend, Wa.

     

  • Thu
    15
    Jun
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

    MFG

  • Fri
    16
    Jun
    2017

    Private Party

  • Fri
    23
    Jun
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    730pm

    Creek House

    Minneapolis Mn.

    651-633-5353

    glenn@elvig.com

  • Wed
    28
    Jun
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino

    8 to 11pm

    Highway 99 Blues Club

    1414 Alaskan Way

    Seattle

    This is the first night of a Fourth Wednesday of the month residency at the Highway 99! In future nights I’ll be bringing in a special guest to help celebrate this great music in it’s original form.

  • Thu
    06
    Jul
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

  • Sun
    09
    Jul
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell

    9am to 12pm

    Aldrich's

    940 Lawrence St

    Port Townsend

  • Thu
    20
    Jul
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo

    7-9:30pm

    G.Donnalson's

    3814 North 26th St.

    Tacoma Wa.

    253-761-8015

  • Wed
    26
    Jul
    2017

    John "Gray Hound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino

    8 to 11pm

    Highway 99 Blues Club

    1414 Alaskan Way

    Seattle

    Special guest Steve Maxwell from Minneapolis on harp!

  • Sun
    30
    Jul
    2017
    Sun
    06
    Aug
    2017

    Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival

    Day and Night!

    Fort Worden

    Port Townsend, Wa.

    I’ll be teaching a class at this years festival focused around slide guitar, delta blues, and arrangement tools.

  • Fri
    04
    Aug
    2017

    John Maxwell and Sean Devine

    8pm

    Pope Marine Bldg

    1000 Madison St

    Port Townsend

    As part of Blues in the Clubs at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival. All ages.

  • Sat
    05
    Aug
    2017

    John Maxwell

    9pm

    Boiler Room

    711 Water St

    Port Townsend

    As part of Blues in the Clubs at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival. All Ages

  • Sat
    19
    Aug
    2017

    John "Greyhound" Maxwell

    TBA

    Port Townsend Main St. Fair

  • Sun
    20
    Aug
    2017

    Taste of Music Festival

    Snohomish,Wa.

    Washington Blues Society IBC Finals

  • Mon
    21
    Aug
    2017

    Private Event

  • Wed
    23
    Aug
    2017

    John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino

    8 to 11pm

    Highway 99 Blues Club

    1414 Alaskan Way

    Seattle

    Special guest -Sean Devine

  • Sun
    10
    Sep
    2017

    John "Greyhound" Maxwell and Jon Parry

    7 to 10pm

    The Cellar Door

    940 Water St. #1

    Port Townsend Wa.

    If North bay blues man John Maxwell doesn't hook you with the opening slide riff of "St. James Infirmary," he'll hook you with his deep baritone voice. If he doesn't manage to hook you at all as he strums his way through the Louis Armstrong classic, odds are you're simply immune to the blues. David Emery-Marin IJ

  • Wed
    27
    Sep
    2017

    John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino

    8 to 11pm

    Highway 99 Blues Club

    1414 Alaskan Way

    Seattle

    Special guest to be announced!

  • Wed
    25
    Oct
    2017

    John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino

    8 to 11pm

    Highway 99 Blues Club

    1414 Alaskan Way

    Seattle

  • Sat
    28
    Oct
    2017

    John "Greyhound" Maxwell and Jon Parry

    8pm

    The Pourhouse

    Port Townsend, Wa.

    ptpourhouse.com

  • Thu
    16
    Nov
    2017

    John opens for the fabulous Marcia Ball!!

    8pm

    The Palms

    13 Main St.

    Winters, Ca.

    palmsplayhouse.com

  • Sat
    18
    Nov
    2017

    David Lindley and John Greyhound Maxwell

    8pm

    Grand Annex

    434 W. 6th St.

    San Pedro, Ca 90731

    www.grandannex.org

    310-833-4813

    John opens for the great David Lindley!

  • Tue
    12
    Dec
    2017

    Washington Blues Society's December Blues Bash

    7pm

    Capp's Club

    7620 NE Bothell Way

    Kenmore, Wa.

    425-877-1512

  • Wed
    27
    Dec
    2017

    John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino

    8 to 11pm

    Highway 99 Blues Club

    1414 Alaskan Way

    Seattle, Wa

    highwayninetynine.com

John's

Biography

John “Greyhound” Maxwell brings his singular approach to slide guitar and mandolin, paying homage to the craft and tradition of the masters, while infusing the music with fresh energy. David Lindley is quoted as saying, “John is the finest bottleneck slide player I’ve heard in a long time.”

With an approach that is authentic and understated, Maxwell plays with the warmth and dexterity of someone who has loved the blues over a lifetime. Indeed, his education began as a teenager after seeing B.B. King play a set in Chicago in 1971. At Chicago’s historic Old Town School of Folk Music he took lessons from a young Johnny Long, himself a student of Homesick James. When Maxwell left for college in St. Louis, he originally studied classical, but grew restless and eventually fronted a blues trio.
He counts himself lucky enough to have mingled with blues legends Tommy Bankhead and Henry Townsend, with whom he later shared the stage and formed a friendship. He’s been drawn to slide since the beginning. “It increases that conversational aspect between the instrument and the voice,” he says.

That lineage is evident in the conversations he’s still having. In his capable hands, classics are given a deep bow and a quick wink, at once subtle and surprising. Likewise, his originals feel familiar to the genre, at home on a back-roads front porch or a downtown speakeasy.

His style is grounded and focused yet delivered with an ease and a lightness. He says the nice thing about getting older is, “Whatever you do, if you’ve been doing for most of your life, you reach a proficiency level that’s really enjoyable.” That comfort and skill is obvious whether he’s playing with a full band, as a duo, or just his caramel smooth voice and his silver Dobro. One gets the feeling he’d be equally at home with a symphony or a jug band.

In fact, he’s travelled the country, playing bluegrass in Tulsa and punk-rock in Hollywood, with forays into jazz, folk and rock and roll. No matter the genre, he always found himself coming back to the blues. He explains that his interpretation is not about a specific chord pattern or scale, but rather the emotion behind it. “I think that helps cross physical and cultural borders,” he says.

Now, having rounded the corner of 60, Maxwell is a master of his craft, garnering the admiration of his contemporaries. His recording, Blues for Evangeline, made the top five in the Best Self-Produced CD competition at the 2016 Memphis International Blues Challenge. In 2017, he had a song placed in a film at the Sundance Festival, and he taught at the prestigious Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival in Washington state, where he now resides. The Washington Blues Society recently nominated John “Greyhound” Maxwell for best solo artist in 2023. He previously was the 2018 award recipient for Best Acoustic Blues Guitar. His second self produced CD, “Even Good Dogs Get the Blues”, represented the WBS at the 2018 International Blues Challenge. “It’s really exciting,” he says. “I feel like I’m finally coming into my own.” In past years Maxwell has recently shared the stage with well-known blues greats, opening shows for Ruthie Foster, Sonny Landreth, Keb’Mo and Taj Mahal.
“Back when I was 16 or 17, I would tell myself I wanted to have a successful music career, and it was okay if it happened at 60, as long as it happened.” He laughs softly. “I think I set my course there.”

 

get me six crap shooting pallbearers. get a chorus girl to sing me a song.

Get in Touch

Contact Me

Send a Message
Booking agent


Brad Stewart
Dynamic Artists Management, LLC
517-715-6555

info@dynamicartists.com
www.dynamicartists.com

Social Links
Previous

Artist Credits

 

Henry Townsend - BB's Jazz Blues and Soups - St. Louis, Missouri, 1976 -
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - North St Paul, Minnesota, 1985
Roy Rogers - Larry Blake's - Berkeley, California, 1989
Susan Tedeschi - John Lee Hooker's Boom Boom Room - San Francisco, California, 1995
Carlene Carter, Dan Hicks, Bill Kirchen, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Jim Lauderdale, Butch Hancock, Austin DeLone, Lisa Kindred- Bimbo's - San Francisco, California, 2015
Austin De Lone - Sweetwater Music Hall - Mill Valley, California, 2015
John Cleary - Sweetwater Music Hall - Mill Valley, California, 2016
Ramblin' Jack Elliot - Sweetwater Music Hall - Mill Valley, California, 2016
Ruthie Foster- Rancho Nicasio, California, 2016/The Triple Door - Seattle, Washington, 2023
Maria Muldaur - Hwy 99 Blues Club Seattle Wa. 2016
Studebaker John - Hwy 99 Blues Club Seattle Wa.2016
David Lindley - Wheeler Theater, Port Townsend WA 2017, Grand Annex San Pedro CA 2017
Marcia Ball - Palms Playhouse - Winters, California, 2017
Albert Cummings - Las Vegas Performing Arts Center - Las Vegas, Nevada, 2018 (2 nights)/The Triple Door - Seattle, Washington, 2019 & 2022/Spanish Ballroom - Tacoma, Washington, 2022
Taj Mahal, KebMo, Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Chateau Ste. Michelle - Woodinville, Washington, 2018
Coco Montoya - Marysville Performing Arts Center - Marysville, Washington, 2018/The Triple Door - Seattle, Washington, 2019
Lucky Peterson - The Triple Door - Seattle, Washington, 2020
Albert Lee - The Palindrome - Port Townsend, Washington, 2023
Sonny Landreth - The Triple Door - Seattle, Washington, 2023 (2 nights)
Reverend John Wilkins - Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival - August 2019