30 Day Countdown!

By Max | Published: July 1, 2010

Thanks to all of you who have been coming out to our performances so far this summer! It has been quite a time already, and we’re just getting started!

This month will all be in preparation for the greatest show on Earth (if I do say so myself…) taking place on Saturday, July 31st @ Hoyt Sherman Place!

Really though, this concert has been in the works for over a year, and I absolutely can’t wait for all of you to see it. The band is amazing, the music is all original interpretations of the classics, and the venue is as good as it gets. This show is something that Des Moines does not see very often… All local, all professional quality.

If you could forward this message to all of your friends and family who might be interested, that would be wonderful. Our real promotion starts next week, but the most powerful form of publicity is word of mouth, and I could use all of the help I can get! Tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com or at the Hoyt Sherman Place box office, which can be reached at 515-244-0507. Thanks so much for all of your support!

–
MW
(515)490-5497
www.maxwellmanmusic.com

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Tickets Going On Sale; This Week’s Performances

By Max | Published: May 29, 2010

Hi Everyone-

I’m back from my week of baseball! It was quite a trip, but I’m ready to get performing again. This week, I’ll be playing at Mars on Sunday (tomorrow) from 11:00am until 1:00, at Chuck’s on Wednesday from 7:00 until 10:00, and on Friday at Trostel’s Greenbriar from 8:00 until 11:00. Plenty of great jazz to be heard!

Also, on Friday, June 4th, tickets will officially go on sale for my concert @ Hoyt Sherman Place that takes place on Saturday, July 31st at 8:00. This show will be the premiere event of the summer, a full length concert with me and my Big Band. People are planning to come from far and wide, so you’ll want to purchase your tickets as soon as possible! The tickets go on sale at 10:00 am on Friday through www.ticketmaster.com as well as the Hoyt Sherman Place box office, which can be reached at (515)244-0507.

This concert promises to be the crowning achievement of my career to this point, and I can’t wait to share it with you! Thanks again for all of your support! This weeks shows are listed below.

Sunday, May 30th @ Mars Cafe (11:00 AM – 1:00)

Wednesday, June 2nd @ Chuck’s Italian Restaurant (8:00-11:00)

Friday, June 4th @ Trostel’s Greenbriar (8:00-11:00)

Sunday, June 6th @ Mars Cafe (11:00AM – 1:00)

Friday, June 4th @ 10:00AM – Tickets go on sale for Saturday, July 31st @ Hoyt Sherman Place w/ My Big Band!

–

MW

(515)490-5497

www.maxwellmanmusic.com

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This Week’s Performances

By Max | Published: May 18, 2010

Hi Everyone!

Thanks to all of you who came out to last week’s shows! There were plenty of new people at Chuck’s on Wednesday, and Mars was packed for the second week in a row! This week, I’ll be at Chuck’s on Wednesday with Ron and Steve from 7:00 until 10:00, and we’ll be playing at the FIRST annual CAMP (Court Avenue Music Project) Festival on Saturday from 9:15 until 10:30. Please help keep our run at Chuck’s going on Wednesday nights! We’ll keep playing new music every week, so make us part of your routine!

The Court Avenue Music Production (CAMP) Fest is the local music celebration of the year taking place at the Court Center building downtown on May 22, 2010 with almost 20 bands performing throughout the afternoon and evening, including Roxi Copland, Bonne Finken, Chris Ranallo, Tony Bohnenkamp, and many more! Check www.campfest2010.com for more information!

This Sunday, Bella Soul will be taking my place at Mars Cafe, as I will be out of town, but I’ll be back there the following Sunday for the rest of the summer. Check out Bella Soul (featuring blues sensation Tina Haase Findlay) at www.myspace.com/bellasoulmusic .

NEXT 5 SHOWS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19TH @ CHUCK’S (7:00-10:00)
SATURDAY, MAY 22ND @ CAMP FEST ON COURT (9:15-10:30) WWW.CAMPFEST2010.COM
SUNDAY, MAY 30TH @ MARS (11:00AM-1:00) WWW.MARSCAFE.NET
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2ND @ CHUCK’S (7:00-10:00)
FRIDAY, JUNE 4TH @ TROSTEL’S GREENBRIAR (8:00-11:00)

–
MW
(515)490-5497
www.maxwellmanmusic.com

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This Week’s Performances

By Max | Published: May 11, 2010

Hi Everyone!

Thanks to all of you who came out last week for my first week of performances this summer! It was a blast, and the brunch at Mars Cafe was particularly fun!

This week, I’ll be at Chuck’s on Wednesday (and EVERY Wednesday) from 7:00-10:00 with Ron Roberts (guitar) and Mr. Steve Charlson (bass). We’re doing new music every week this summer, so be sure to keep stopping by!

On Sunday, Ron Roberts and I will continue our Sunday jazz brunch performance at Mars Cafe from 11:00 until 1:00. Again, we’ll be doing this EVERY week, so come on by! It’s a wonderful place in the Drake neighborhood that just added a full menu, which received rave reviews last Sunday.

Later that same day (Sunday), I’ll be making my debut at Saints Pub and Patio (265 50th St. in West Des Moines) along with Seth Hedquist (guitar) and… shockingly enough, Steve Charlson (bass). Saints just opened up not too long ago, and we will be having a great time on a Sunday afternoon out on their beautiful patio! Plenty of opportunities for some jazz on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks as always for your continued support!

Remember, local music only works with YOUR support! If you like what you’re hearing, then keep coming out! See you soon.

Check www.maxwellmanmusic.com for a full calendar for the summer! Lots of GREAT events coming your way!

–

MW

(515)490-5497

www.maxwellmanmusic.com

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BIG Summer Plans w/ My BIG BAND!

By Max | Published: April 23, 2010

Summer is Here!

Okay, so maybe not quite… but I needed to let everyone know about what I’ve been planning this whole year! I’ll try to cover all the bases… Check www.MAXWELLMANMUSIC.com for a FULL CALENDAR!


Hoyt Sherman Place w/ My Big Band! Saturday, July 31st @ 8:00!

This project has been a year in the making, and it promises to be one of Des Moines’ premier events of the summer! I have assembled a group of Iowa’s finest musicians to put on a show unlike any other in our city! All new arrangements done by Dave Rezek, guest appearances by artists such as the great Roxi Copland, and lots more promise to make this an unforgettable evening! Tickets go on sale June 4th through Ticketmaster.com and the Hoyt Sherman Place box office. Prepare yourselves.

Other Highlighted Performances

In addition to the Hoyt Sherman Project, I will be returning to the Des Moines Art Festival on Friday, June 25th, the Jazz in July Concert Series on Friday, July 9th, and many other wonderful events.

One very exciting, new event will the CAMP (Court Avenue Music Project) Festival going on for the FIRST time on Saturday, May 22nd. We will be one of the headlining bands, playing from 9:15-10:30 at Sinners and Saints downtown. This festival will feature The Roxi Copland Band, Bonne Finken, Chris Ranallo, and many of Iowa’s finest bands. Check out www.campfest2010.com for more information!

The Regulars

Starting Wednesday, May 5th, I will be performing EVERY WEDNESDAY from 7:00-10:00 with my trio. The return to Linda’s Chuck’s will be glorious, rest assured. Can’t wait to see you there on a weekly basis!

In addition to Chuck’s, I’m proud to announce that I will be performing EVERY SUNDAY from 11:00-1:00 at Mars Cafe in Drake’s Dogtown for a new Sunday jazz brunch they have decided to start. The first performance is Sunday, May 9th, and it promises to be something new and exciting! Seems to be a perfect activity for your lazy summer Sunday’s!

Even More Coming Soon!

Be sure to check www.maxwellmanmusic.com for all of the latest information! These are not the only performances for the summer, but merely the highlights! This, my friends, is sure to be a memorable string of months filled with great live jazz. I encourage you to come along for the ride.

Thanks as always! More coming soon!

–
MW
(515)490-5497
max@maxwellmanmusic.com

WWW.MAXWELLMANMUSIC.COM

Our mailing address is:
Wellman Music, LLC
5908 Harwood Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312

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American Cancer Society – Chefs in Stride 2010

By Max | Published: March 14, 2010

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to post a quick note announcing that I’ll be singing for a great cause coming up on the 16th of April at The Village of Ponderosa. The American Cancer Society is putting on its annual Chefs in Stride event, featuring food served up by some of the finest chefs in Des Moines and drinks provided by Flemings, as well as a phenomenal silent auction! We’ll be playing from 7:00 until 10:00, so it should be a great night altogether! Go to www.chefsinstride.com for more information on where to get your tickets!

–
MW
max@maxwellmanmusic.com

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Des Moines Performances!

By Max | Published: March 2, 2010

DES MOINES PERFORMANCES!

Hi Everyone-

I hope everything has been going well for all of you! Just thought I’d send you a special reminder about the performances coming up starting this week at Chuck’s! I can’t wait to see all of you guys and get a chance to play some great music with the group again! Dates and times are listed below… Thanks as always for your support!

Friday, March 5th – Des Moines – Chuck’s I’ll be returning to good ol’ Chuck’s with my quartet for an evening full of standards and original material! Nick Rieser on the piano, Steve Charlson with his bass, and Mr. Dave Rezek on trumpet. Should be a great night!

Wednesday, March 10th – Des Moines – Chuck’s Our second installment of the week will include the Trio as we continue to provide you with great live jazz! Ron Roberts will join me on guitar, and Steve will be holding down his fort as usual.

Friday, March 12th – Des Moines – Chuck’s Hopefully, Linda Bisignano will not have thrown us out yet! The regular quartet will be back from the previous Friday to provide me with a great sendoff!

—
MW
(515)490-5497
max@maxwellmanmusic.com

WWW.MAXWELLMANMUSIC.COM

Our mailing address is:
Wellman Music, LLC
5908 Harwood Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312

==============================================

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Bravo Gala w/ Ken Arlen Orchestra

By Max | Published: February 10, 2010

This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to go back to Des Moines to sing for Bravo’s 2010 Gala celebrating the arts in Greater Des Moines. Bravo is a fantastic organization that has given over $12 million to fine arts organizations in the state of Iowa in the past 5 years. Several of those organizations were ones that I was a part of while growing up, enabling me to develop into the artist I am today. I will forever be grateful to Bravo for their support of the fine arts in Des Moines.

Since I had been so involved with their grantees, most notably the Heartland Youth Choir, Bravo wanted to showcase me at the gala in promotion of the Hoyt Sherman concert I’m producing this summer. When I was approached about this opportunity, it was a no-brainer to accept. It’s one of the premiere events in Des Moines art scene, a performance given in front of over 800 of the most influential people in the state of Iowa.

Then came the real kicker; I would be performing with The Ken Arlen Orchestra, a Chicago sensation! This was sure to be a great night.

As Abby and I arrived, it was clear that my assumptions were correct. The setup was straight out of a movie, a grandiose setting if I have ever seen one. The speeches came and went, and then it was time to take the stage with Ken Arlen.

First, we gave them “Come Fly With Me”, which is always a good opener. Not my best song, but nearly anyone you sing to identifies with the song in some way, and it makes it clear which genre I am a part of. It went very well, and it felt incredible to be on the stage with a big band. Next, I finished with my current favorite, Sinatra’s “I’m A Fool To Want You”. It’s typically quite an epic, desperate song, but this setting took it to a whole new level. All of the musicians on that stage were 100% in tune with what I was doing, and we were in perfect communication the whole way through. It was a whole lot of fun.

Immediately following my performance, Ken Arlen spoke with me about working with him in Chicago in the future… will have to keep that in mind as time goes by. He was a true class act, and his band was phenomenal. Next, I went on a good round of introductions to the VIPs, promoting the Hoyt Sherman event the whole way.

All in all, it was a very successful event. We shall have to see what becomes of it… Next up, I’ll be returning to the Jazz Kitchen with Rob Dixon sometime soon, as well as pursuing other performance opportunities in Indianapolis… will keep you updated!

Thanks for reading!

–
MW
max@maxwellmanmusic.com

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Plans…

By Max | Published: February 4, 2010

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!

–

MW

max@maxwellmanmusic.com

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Getting Booked in Indy: Episode 1 (Debut @ The Jazz Kitchen)

By Max | Published: January 13, 2010

It’s official. I have taken the plunge in Indianapolis. This week, I initiated my plan to get booked in Indianapolis. I am very curious to see how this all works out compared to the process I went through in my hometown of Des Moines. It was tough in DSM, but I had built in connections through numerous family members heavily involved in the restaurant scene. Here, I’m all on my own. Granted, I have a lot of credentials that I didn’t have, experience I have gained, but it will definitely be an interesting journey.

Last night, I made my first real trip to The Jazz Kitchen: the premiere jazz club in Indianapolis. This place is on par with some of the finest jazz clubs in this country. It’s owned and operated by local musicians, and has housed greats such as Harry Connick and Kurt Elling, to name a few. As I walked in, I took a moment to really let the scene set in… a packed room, virtually silent as they listened attentively to the fine musicians, treated to fantastic food by candlelight. It felt good.

The man at the door was Frank. Frank is the door man most nights at the Jazz Kitchen, one of the original staff members when it opened 15 years ago or so. He was very nice, letting me know when good nights were to stop by on and such… The group playing was The Jazz Lips, a new Dixieland 6-piece combo made up of various music professors in the area. Needless to say, they were phenomenal. I had a chance afterwords to speak with each of the musicians, who were all very nice.

As I left, Frank told me I should stop in the next night to check out the Rob Dixon Quartet. He said he would introduce me to Rob, one of the ‘finest musicians in town’. I told him I would do my best to stop by. So, tonight I made my way down to The Jazz Kitchen to check it out. As I walked in, Frank shook my hand and led me to a good table near the back of the room. After I had ordered my food, Frank brought Rob Dixon over to introduce me to. Rob was very gracious, saying he’d love to have me up for a tune in the second set. Before they started playing, Frank put my CD, ‘Comes Love’, into the sound system for patrons to listen to. I guess he liked it.

I sang “Star Dust” and, by popular demand, “Georgia On My Mind”, both of them Indiana-born Hoagy Charmichael’s tunes. It went very well and Rob said he wants to have me back with the band soon. I’ll keep you updated.

Thanks for reading.

–

MW

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