Maxwell Davis

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Maxwell Davis (* 14. January 1916 in Independence , Kansas ; † 18th September 1970 in Los Angeles , California ) was an American rhythm and blues - and jazz - saxophonist , arranger and producer.

In 1937 Maxwell Davis moved to Los Angeles and played the saxophone in the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. After working in the swing environment for a few years, he started playing more in the West Coast rhythm and blues scene in the 1940s. Davis was a regular session musician and arranger for independent record labels such as Aladdin Records , where he a. a. participated in the session with Helen Humes and Lester Young and worked with Little Miss Cornshucks . He also recorded with Louis Jordan , Lester Young, and the Jay McShann Band, which featured blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon . After 1952 he also played with Percy Mayfield , Peppermint Harris , "Gatemouth" Brown , Betty Hall Jones , T-Bone Walker , Jesse Price , Amos Milburn and others.

"Maxwell Davis is considered the unsung hero of early rhythm and blues," remarked songwriter and producer Mike Stoller . He produced most of the record sessions on Aladdin Records, Modern Records , and many independent rhythm and blues labels of the late 1940s and early 1950s. His last activity as a producer was in 1969 with the soul singer ZZ Hill .

Selection discography

  • Calvin Boze with Maxwell Davis & His Orchestra: The Complete Recordings 1945-52 (Blue Moon)
  • Charles Mingus: West Coast 1945-1949 (Uptown)
  • T-Bone Walker: Sings the Blues , Singing The Blues (Imperial / Pathe, 1950–52)
  • Lester Young: The Complete Aladdin Recordings of Lester Young (Blue Note, 1942-47)

literature

  • Bielefeld Catalog Jazz 2001
personal data
SURNAME Davis, Maxwell
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American rhythm and blues and jazz saxophonist, arranger and producer
DATE OF BIRTH January 14, 1916
PLACE OF BIRTH Independence , Kansas
DATE OF DEATH September 18, 1970
Place of death Los Angeles , California