About My Music
Art Maxwell
Multi-Instrumentalist • Composer • Arranger • Producer • Agent • Consultant • Instructor and Lifelong Jazz Aficionado
Art is an internationally renowned musician who has performed with many of the world’s top Jazz artists to rave reviews in the U.S., Europe and Russia. He is also co-founder of the Berkeley Saxophone Quartet. He formed Steinwell Music with Jeff Feldstein and founded Tonal Gravity Records in 1988.
Instruments: Flute • Alto Flute • Piccolo • Clarinet • Bass Clarinet • Oboe • Shakuhachi • Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophone
PHOTO: Performing at a 2012 event with Diane Witherspoon
and the Calvin Keys Quartet at Oakland’s 57th Street Gallery.
Background
Began music studies at age four on the recorder and flute studies at age eight – Studied music theory at Laney College – Formed Steinwell Music with Jeff Feldstein – Founded Tonal Gravity Records in 1988 – CD record releases in 1989, 1990, and 2000Member and Co-Founder of the Berkeley Saxophone Quartet – Baritone.
Instructors
Merrill Jordan (formerly with the San Francisco Symphony) – Janet Maestre (of the Berkeley Symphony) – Alexander Murray (formerly with the London Symphony) – Eugene Kushner (formerly with the Oakland Symphony) – Stan Getz (at the 1982 Jazz Workshop) – James Lewis (of the Union Street Project).
Performances
Ten annual recitals of classical chamber music at the International House in Berkeley, CA – Two seasons with the Prometheus Orchestra, playing flute and piccolo – Engagments at various Bay Area nightclubs including The Bistro, Moriarty’s and Yoshi’s – Opening of 1000 Virginia Gallery – Trinity Chamber Concerts with the Berkeley Saxophone Quartet.
Performed with
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Pete Escovedo – Joe Henderson – Ed Kelly – Calvin Keys – Eddie Marshall – Pastiche – Mongo Santamaria – Yancy Taylor – Diane Witherspoon – Stan Getz Quartet.
Performed at
The Durant Hotel – The Claremont Hotel – Erle’s Solano Club – Larry Blake’s Kimball’s – Ralph’s – Birdland West – The Scorpion – The Screaming Eagle – International House – The Bistro – Ashkenaz – Dock of the Bay – The Bancroft Street Lounge – Escovedo’s – Gallagher’s – Moriarty’s – The Coffee Mill – Yoshi’s (CD Release Party, 1989, 2000) – The Great American Music Hall – Festival at the Lake, 1991 – Palo Alto Celebrates the Arts – 1st Vietnamese & American Jazz Festival – Solano Stroll – 1st International Jazz Festival in Nakhodka, Russia 1994 with trumpeter Les Rogers – 606 Club (London, England) – Le Tattingole (Poitiers, France).
Radio and Television
Interviews on KJAZ, KPFA, KALX, and KCSM – Oakland’s KTVU/Channel 2 “New Year’s Eve 1986” with Yancy Taylor’s All-Stars – Video premier of “Blues for Frank” on Nisa’s Showtime TV Channel 38 – Radio air play on major West Coast Jazz Stations – Video airplay on Chilean National Television – Cable 8 performances with Herb Carr and interview with Les Williams.
Recording Credits
Composed, arranged, performed, and produced the album “Quantum Leaps” – the music of Art Maxwell and Tonal Gravity on Tonal Gravity Records – Composed, arranged, performed, and produced the album “Latin Up” – the music of Art Maxwell and Tonal Gravity featuring Diane Witherspoon on Tonal Gravity Records – Performed on several recordings of Vietnamese music for Giana Productions, including “More than Love” by Peter Zak – Produced the debut album of Diane Witherspoon “Thanking You” for Tonal Gravity Records – Produced and co-directed the video “Blues for Frank” – Recorded Movements from Twelve Fantasies for solo flute by Telemann for Clover-Lobe Productions.
Benefit Concerts
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1999 – Laguna Honda Hospital with Art Brockmeyer – Consolidated Community Center 1990 Earthquake Relief Benefit – Bread and Roses benefit performances with the Berkeley Saxophone Quartet.
Most Recent Major Accomplishment
A Film by Gail Dolgin- Daughter from Danang- featuring soundtrack accompaniment by Art Maxwell on shakuhachi. Winner of Best Documentary; Sundance Film Festival 2003 and nominated for an Oscar – Best Documentary 2003 Academy Awards.