This has been a very interesting week for me. It seems that all week long, I’ve been brainstorming like nobody’s business. I go through little cycles like this quite often, usually after I get done actually doing a whole lot of things… It’s my way of taking a step back and planning the next phase of this operation that is my life. Of course, good things have come out of this planning as usual. I have the rest of the year jam packed through August, and it all looks pretty epic if I do say so myself.

First of all, let me talk a bit about the highlight for the whole summer this year. On Saturday, July 31st, I will be putting on a concert with my first big band! Dave Rezek has helped me get the group assembled, and I can confidently say that we have come up with some of the finest musicians around. It’s quite an endeavor, and there are a few more details to be taken care of… okay, a bit more than a few details… but the green light is on and I’m ready to go! Oh, and I shouldn’t forget to mention that we’re going to be recording the concert through Steve Capp, and the recording will be my next full length album to go out… very exciting! Tickets should go on sale in May, so keep your eyes open! This will truly be one of the finest events in Des Moines this summer, and I get more excited about it every day!

I’m also in the beginning stages of planning a ‘reunion’ concert of sorts taking place at the end of May at a venue to be determined… more on that later. Aside from that, I started talks this week with the Des Moines Art Festival and Jazz in July Festival about repeat performances, so that’s something to be celebrated as well!

Things in Indianapolis are going very well, although a lot of my time has been devoted to my studies lately. Of course, that is a good thing, too! My piano lessons with local legend Gary Walters have gone so well that I have committed to a few piano gigs already for this summer, which should be great!

This weekend, I’ll be back in Des Moines for Bravo’s annual gala event celebrating the arts in Des Moines. I’ll be singing with The Ken Arlen Orchestra, one of Chicago’s finest bands! They were recently seen for a week at the Bellagio in Vegas… This is all in an effort to stir up awareness/support for the Hoyt Sherman concert, so it should be a great night! I’ll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks for reading!

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MW

max@maxwellmanmusic.com