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To listen to Johnny Max tell it, and to watch Johnny Max present it, you understand very quickly that there’s more to creating great music than simply performing a first-rate piece of music well. It’s much more all encompassing than that.

Max’s take includes engaging the audience, making his show accessible. He wants to more than simply feed off the audience, he looks to make them part of the experience. And he does so with his good natured wit.

Using humour to get your point across is always risky because there’s a fine line between entertaining and playing the fool. To his credit Johnny Max knows how to tread that line because the music always comes first.

Max’s music doesn’t always follow conventional Blues lines. Rather than be confined to the traditional 12 bar influenced forms, this veteran of the musical wars favours substance rather than convention. Reasoning that "it’s all Blues", Max opts for the feeling in what he characterizes as "music to move your groove by".

And people are starting to take notice. Not only is Max quickly becoming a regular on the festival circuit, his latest release, A Lesson I’ve Learned, (Pour Soul Records) is also receiving critical acclaim. "Lesson", is being featured by jocks worldwide, and has earned Johnny and the band some rather impressive award recognition:

• a Juno Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year

• a Maple Blues Award nomination for Recording of the Year

• a Maple Blues Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year (Max and Martin Alex Aucoin)

• a Maple Blues Award nomination for Electric Act of the Year

Regardless of the accepted musical landscape for so called Blues acts, Johnny Max continues to do what he does best - push on through with his humourous and rocking take on the genre.

Max isn’t content with simply replicating the sounds of his heroes. Instead, displaying his influences right up front, his intent is to mash all of the accepted forms into an amalgam of Blues, Funk, and R&B. And it works!

Max has some new tunes in his bag, soon to find their way on an upcoming CD that’s currently in the planning stages. And he’s staying on the current path established by "Lesson" where the roads intersect to form Max’s own unique brand of Southern Soul inflected offerings delivered with a whole lot of honesty and commitment.

If you’re into the Blues, try something different. Try Johnny Max! It might be just what you need!  An evening with Johnny Max is much like kicking back with an old friend but don’t be fooled because in mid conversation Max lets you know what he came for - to deliver the goods with honesty and conviction.

Check out Johnny's myspace site

Johnny Max Band Members and Alumni

VINCE MACCARONE

Vince Maccarone is a sought after performer and studio musician on both drum set and hand percussion. He is also a band leader, writer and conducts master classes and workshops. Vince is best known for his unique “world music” approach and is well versed in all styles of music. His live performances display an unbreakable link between traditional music and cutting-edge contemporary. Originally from the mining town of Sudbury, ON Canada, he is based in Toronto and tours throughout Canada, United States and Europe. After a 25 year absence from post secondary education, Vince is currently earning his under-graduate degree from Humber College with plans to obtain a Master’s Degree in Ethnomusicology from York University. Vince’s drumming has been featured on commercials for clients such as Tim Hortons, Coca Cola, TD Bank and many more. Some artists Vince has worked with include: Colin Linden, Denny Doherty of The Mammas and Pappas, Deanna Bogart, Gregory Hines, Jim Belushi and New Orleans great Earl King who commented “that drummer is hot!” he also has been with Paul Reddick and The Sidemen for the past 15 years. He has shared the stage with many blues greats such as BB King, Junior Wells, Joe Louis Walker, Koko Taylor, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Colin James and a 2 week tour backing blues legend Buddy Guy.

WAYNE "SHIFTY" DEADDER

DYLAN WICKENS

Wickens is a two time winner of the Toronto Blues Society's New Talent Search with his former band "The Dylan Wickens Band" and also with "Soulstack".  He was also a nominee at the Maple Blues Awards in the "Best New Artist" category with Soulstack.  Presently he writes, records, and performs with Soulstack, The 9s, and plays guitar with Johnny Max and the Heart Attacks.

ULI BOHNET

Bass player from 2005-2007.  Uli played on "Ride and Roll".  One of the stalwarts in The JMB.  Another one of the first call Bass players in the city and always a member of The JMB.

JIM CASSON

One of the most trusted drummers Johnny knows.  Plays in Johnny's Soul Reason Revue, The Regal Blues Band, The JMB, The Heart Attacks, and many other permutations.  Jim also designed the CD packages for the last 3 CD's and is our webmaster.

MARTIN AUCOIN

“Man, he can, outright, play” is what you hear about Martin Aucoin. He doesn’t just play, He lets you hear what he’s saying. Martin has played keyboards in numerous country and R&B bands around Toronto, including Morgan Davis, and Jack DeKeyzer, before moving to Nashville in 1990. He then toured with BJ Thomas for a year and a half. He also played on recording sessions for George Strait, Garth Brooks, Confederate Railroad, and John Michael Montgomery. He has played live with Larry Carlton, Tony Joe White, Bo Diddley, Ricky Van Shelton, Alan Jackson, Alex Harvey, the Drifters, Mark O'Connor, as well as having a 4 year gig at the Grand Ole Opry with Jimmy C. Newman, the great Cajun singer.  Martin played keyboards on "Ride And Roll" and played keyboards, was co-writer and co-producer on "A Lesson I've Learned".

KEVIN "LIGHTNIN" HIGGINS

Kevin started the band along with Johnny. Phenomenal guitarist and a great teacher.  Kevin left the band in 2006 wanting to spend more time with his family.  He is on the first 3 CD's

TEDDY LEONARD

Teddy Leonard has been a guitarist in the Canadian roots scene for more than 25 years.  As a member of the seminal roots collective "Fathead" he has recorded 5 CD's and garnered two Juno nominations {taking home the prize in 1999 for "Best Blues Recording"}.  The next year he was honored as "Guitarist of the Year" at the Maple Blues Awards.  As support for Handy and Juno nominee Paul Reddick he has toured Europe and Canada in recent years. Stints with Colin Linden, Morgan Davis and Pork Belly Futures have taken Teddy to New York City, Memphis, Austin and Washington D C.  While recording and playing have been his mainstays composing has landed him on many other artist's discs and soundtracks. Having shared the stage with BB King, Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko of The Band Teddy continues to be in demand as a performer.  Teddy plays on "A Lesson I've Learned".

BILL KEELEY

Bill was the first Bass player with the band and played on the first two CDs.  He also played with Morgan Davis & David Wilcox.  Bill passed away in 2005.

BOB VESPAZIANI

One of the finest Roots drummers (and I do mean Roots!!!) in the city.  Played in the band form 2000-2003 and plays on the "In The Doghouse...Again" CD.  Plays with Julian Fauth, Mark "Bird" Stafford among others.

DUNCAN MCBAIN

Dunc was a long time member of the JMB (2003-2008) and played on the "Ride and Roll" and "Lesson I've Learned" CDs.  If he shaved his head he could be Max's twin.  They have never been seen at the same barber at the same time.  Hmmm...

BRUCE LONGMAN

Bruce Longman is best described as "so far in the pocket, it doesn't get any deeper". He has been a working musician for 27 years in Canada with stints in the U.S. and as far away as Japan. Bruce was a member of the JMB from 2007-2008.

GARTH VOGAN

The composite Bass player and a good friend.  Always a first call player.  Played with our good friend Joe Ingrao and with Chuck Jackson & The All Stars among others.  Plays on "A Lesson I've Learned".

EDDIE DAILIDE

The JMB's first drummer and probably the loudest snap on a snare you have ever heard.  A consummate groove machine.  Played on The first CD "Long Gone Train".  Now plays down in the States with a  number of bands.

STEVE GRISBROOK

A fantastic guitarist & showman and one of Johnny's best friends and sometime partner in a number of duo/trio permutations.  Played and led Midnite Walk (with Rod Phillips & Garth Vogan), also played with Chicago Pete and Chuck Jackson & The All-Stars.  Has a brand new CD out www.stevegrisbrook.com 

WAYNE "SHAKEY" DAGENAIS

Wayne began playing piano by ear at age 11.  Has performed in rock, country, blues, R 'n B, and theatre ensembles since his early 20's including performing all over Florida with jump/blues band The Regulators, & Clarksdale, Mississippi based artist/musician Stan Street and the Streetwalkers, rock/blues outfit Dave Shelley and Bluestone, and Gabriel Butterfield (son of blues legend Paul Butterfield.), and Electric Flag singer/saxophonist  Maurice Jacox (vocal coach to Johnny Lang).  Most recently a full-time member The Gary Kendall  Band.  He has backed up Carl Weathersby, Phil Guy, Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whitely in concert.