What's Up
CD Review – Bluesletter Magazine & Northwest Music Scene
The Washington Blues Society recently named John “Greyhound” Maxwell the 2018 award recipient for Best Acoustic Blues Guitar. All his acclaimed skills are on display on his new self-produced album Even Good Dogs Get The Blues, to be released in October o...
Port Townsend Leader: Maxwell Proves it’s Never Too Late…
While some aspiring artists have to moonlight as waiters or bussers to make do until their big break, one blues guitarist waited an entire career’s lifespan of bus driving before he could pursue his passion for music. John “Greyhound” Maxwell got hi...
Wagon Of Tales
Venmo link to Purchase here!
Please add your address in the note.
Blues for Evangeline
What People Are SayingAbout 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.
– Frank Matheis – Countryblues.com
“Laid back elegance and a sort off off-hand virtuosity. Very smooth and mellow.”
– Paul Rishell – W.C. Handy Award Winner
“John the finest bottleneck slide player I’ve heard in a long time.”
– David Lindley
“This album should be a mist to acquire for any blues purists or just lovers of blues classic. John’s vocals are always appealing, and the musicianship is impeccable.”
– John Sacksteder
To read the full review in Blues Blast Magazine, Click Here!
You have to play for a long time before you sound like your self
Calendar
2017
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Thu05Jan2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Thu19Jan2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Thu02Feb2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Thu16Feb2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Sun19Feb2017
Event postponed
7 to 10pmThe Cellar Door
940 Water St. #1
Port Townsend Wa.
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Sun26Feb2017
John and Steve Maxwell in a private house concert
Port Townsend,Wa.
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Thu02Mar2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell w/Steve Maxwell
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Thu16Mar2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Sun19Mar2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell and Jon Parry
7 to 10pmThe Cellar Door
940 Water St. #1
Port Townsend Wa.
-
Wed29Mar2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell,Jon Parry,Guy Quintino
8-11pmHighway 99 Blues Club
1414 Alaskan Way
Seattle
Renowned 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. -
Thu06Apr2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Thu20Apr2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Thu04May2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Sat06May2017
KPTZ Beatle Retrospective
7pmWheeler Theater at Fort Worden
Port Townsend, Wa.
A benefit show produced by Paul Rogers for KPTZ radio
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Sun07May2017
KPTZ Beatle Retrospective
2pm matineeWheeler Theater at Fort Worden
Port Townsend, Wa.
A benefit show produced by Paul Rogers for KPTZ radio
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Fri12May2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
8 to 10Rancho Nicasio
On the Town Square
Nicasio, Ca.
415-662-2219
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Wed17May2017
Private House Party
San Francisco
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Fri19May2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
730pmPink Flamingo Theater
Monterey Ca.
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Sat20May2017Sun21May2017
Corner Store West Mountain Jam Party 2017
11am to 7pmCachagua in the Carmel Valley
Featuring Joe Craven, Martin Grosswendt and many more… -
Thu25May2017
Centrum Blues Benefit
730pmTriple Door
Seattle, Wa.
A stellar lineup including Mary Flower, Steve James, Orville Johnson, Sean Devine, Jon Parry, Matt Weiner, myself, and special guests?
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Fri26May2017
Northwest Folklife Festival 2017
745pm to 815pm Back Porch StageSeattle Center
Seattle, Wa
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Mon29May2017
Washington Blues Society IBC
1 to 7pmCapp's Club
7620 NE Bothell Way
Kenmore Wa
John “Gray Hound” Maxwell
and Jon Parry at 420pm
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Thu01Jun2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Fri02Jun2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell and Jon Parry
730pmThe Uptown Pub
1016 Lawrence St
Port Townsend,WA
Opening for Famous Lucy
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Sun04Jun2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
9am to 12pmAldrich's Acoustic Sunrise
940 Lawrence St
Port Townsend, Wa.
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Tue13Jun2017
David Lindley and John "Gray Hound" Maxwell
730pmWheeler Theater
Fort Worden
Port Townsend, Wa.
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Thu15Jun2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Fri16Jun2017
Private Party
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Fri23Jun2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
730pmCreek House
Minneapolis Mn.
651-633-5353
glenn@elvig.com
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Wed28Jun2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino
8 to 11pmHighway 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. -
Thu06Jul2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Sun09Jul2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell
9am to 12pmAldrich's
940 Lawrence St
Port Townsend
-
Thu20Jul2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell Solo
7-9:30pmG.Donnalson's
3814 North 26th St.
Tacoma Wa.
253-761-8015
-
Wed26Jul2017
John "Gray Hound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino
8 to 11pmHighway 99 Blues Club
1414 Alaskan Way
Seattle
Special guest Steve Maxwell from Minneapolis on harp! -
Sun30Jul2017Sun06Aug2017
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.
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Fri04Aug2017
John Maxwell and Sean Devine
8pmPope Marine Bldg
1000 Madison St
Port Townsend
As part of Blues in the Clubs at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival. All ages.
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Sat05Aug2017
John Maxwell
9pmBoiler Room
711 Water St
Port Townsend
As part of Blues in the Clubs at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival. All Ages
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Sat19Aug2017
John "Greyhound" Maxwell
TBAPort Townsend Main St. Fair
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Sun20Aug2017
Taste of Music Festival
Snohomish,Wa.
Washington Blues Society IBC Finals
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Mon21Aug2017
Private Event
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Wed23Aug2017
John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino
8 to 11pmHighway 99 Blues Club
1414 Alaskan Way
Seattle
Special guest -Sean Devine -
Sun10Sep2017
John "Greyhound" Maxwell and Jon Parry
7 to 10pmThe Cellar Door
940 Water St. #1
Port Townsend Wa.
-
Wed27Sep2017
John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino
8 to 11pmHighway 99 Blues Club
1414 Alaskan Way
Seattle
Special guest to be announced! -
Wed25Oct2017
John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino
8 to 11pmHighway 99 Blues Club
1414 Alaskan Way
Seattle
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Sat28Oct2017
John "Greyhound" Maxwell and Jon Parry
8pmThe Pourhouse
Port Townsend, Wa.
ptpourhouse.com
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Thu16Nov2017
John opens for the fabulous Marcia Ball!!
8pmThe Palms
13 Main St.
Winters, Ca.
palmsplayhouse.com
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Sat18Nov2017
David Lindley and John Greyhound Maxwell
8pmGrand Annex
434 W. 6th St.
San Pedro, Ca 90731
www.grandannex.org
310-833-4813
John opens for the great David Lindley!
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Tue12Dec2017
Washington Blues Society's December Blues Bash
7pmCapp's Club
7620 NE Bothell Way
Kenmore, Wa.
425-877-1512
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Wed27Dec2017
John "Greyhound" Maxwell's Acoustic Juke w/Jon Parry & Guy Quintino
8 to 11pmHighway 99 Blues Club
1414 Alaskan Way
Seattle, Wa
highwayninetynine.com
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.
Contact Me
Send a Message
Booking agent
Brad Stewart
Dynamic Artists Management, LLC
517-715-6555
info@dynamicartists.com
www.dynamicartists.com
Social Links
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 Washington - 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
Joaquim Cooder - The Palindrome , Port Townsend - March 2024
