Maxwell, Shawn
Shawn Maxwell, 2024, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 30.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 77
O’s Notes: Saxophonist and composer Shawn Maxwell pays homage to his hometown, Joliet, IL on J Town Suite. Joliet is the 3rd largest city in IL and form home of a large penitentiary. It has seen the ups and downs of a large midwestern city. Maxwell leads a quartet with Michael Barton (b), Collin Clauson (keyboards), and Greg Essig (d). They open with the mysterious sounds of “Steelman March “. A lot of the music sounds ominous but it’s all a part of Shawn’s love and pride coming out in an accurate musical story. “Jerry”, the heavily syncopated “Hickory Street”, and the haunting finale “Ghost Mall on Jefferson” are highlights.
Publicist: Michael Barton
