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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.
JOHNNY
MAX
Johnny
is a soulful singer whose respect, and passion for all types of
music is evident. He is also a brilliant entertainer who has
audiences thoroughly enjoying each show. Johnny Max has built up a
solid reputation as one of those guys who gives 110% and is one of
the most action-packed and satisfying entertainers around. Johnny
takes to performing like a fish to water, a perpetual motion
machine, galvanizing his spicy blend of Stax/Volt, Atlantic, Funk,
and Blues into frenzied heights, often propelling himself into the
audience’s eager arms.
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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
Wayne
began playing professionally at 13. Played in JUNO nominated
("Best Blues Recording" - 2000) band Big Daddy G
from 1997-2005. Also played
with Hock Walsh (original Downchild singer), Dawn Tyler Watson, Michael
Pickett, Jeff Healey, David Wilcox, Richard
Bell
(The Band, Bonnie Rait), Jimmy Bowskill, and Dan Gallagher's Beat
Heathens.
He
has written songs for
Steve Marriner
, Big Daddy G, Jimmy Bowskill.
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. |