LISA MAXWELL
COMPOSER ARRANGER ORCHESTRATOR
Scroll down for new photos!
December, 2022 - Happy Holidays to all! I’ve been working on some TV music, learning the tricks of the trade from one of the masters… Stay tuned for updates and info about upcoming live shows. Also, I just printed a new batch of CD’s. Email me in the CONTACT section if you would like to purchase one and support musicians! And RIP Gene Cipriano, a true musical legend has passed...
June, 2020 - I hope you’re all safe and healthy during the pandemic. I survived Covid in late March (although it certainly took its time to leave), and am back to full health! I’ve been writing some 5 and 6-horn charts, and am having a lot of fun learning Dorico. It really makes digital notation easy and intuitive.
November, 2019 - Here’s the latest: I just finished an arrangement commissioned by the acclaimed Metropole Orkest in the Netherlands for a festival in December, 2019.
And Thank You’s all around to the fabulous musicians and audience at the Catalina’s show in L.A. on October 3rd. We had a blast and can’t wait to get back out there for more!
GREAT REVIEWS FOR LISA MAXWELL’S ALBUM, “SHINY!”
“FOUR STARS! A striking record–one that might be overdue, given its quality.” – Downbeat Magazine
“Hands down, this is the big band set of the year!” – Midwest Record
“She has written, arranged, and put together the kind of band that shatters all conceptions of what a jazz big band is supposed to be. Highly recommended!” – Aquarian Weekly
"This music is fantastic!" -- Paul Shaffer
"Lisa Maxwell is going to surprise a lot of people with her music! I’m thrilled to be a part!" – Will Lee
"Some deep writing in there. Lisa is gifted and unique in a world of sameness." – Steve Lukather
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Check out one of the singles featuring Mike Stern:
Scroll down to see a list of the band members and the story
RANDY BRECKER
Randy Brecker talks about his experience making Lisa Maxwell’s album “Shiny!”
THE STORY
“Shiny” is a big band album of fresh, swingin', funky arrangements (by me), with compositions by Lisa Maxwell, Wayne Shorter, Hiram Bullock, John Carisi and Carl Fischer. The band features Randy Brecker, and is dedicated to the late, great trumpet player, Lew Soloff.
Over the years, I have written many arrangements for other people, I have played saxophone with Guns 'n' Roses and Spinal Tap, and have orchestrated music for Warner Bros., but I never put out an album of my own material.
Lew Soloff was a world class trumpeter and a dear friend. He was a champion of my writing and arranging and used to say, "Just GET YOUR STUFF OUT THERE, Lisa!" We had planned to make an album together but never did. When he left us suddenly in 2015, I realized the time is now. I called my A list dream band musicians.. New York's top players, many of whom are also members of the Gil Evans Orchestra, and all of whom have a connection to Lew. It’s like a jazz family.
Initially, my goal was to make this album so that we could play at clubs and jazz festivals, but as the project has unfolded, it has exceeded my hopes in so many ways. The sense of community between the musicians involved reflects decades of playing together. It has really come through as a driving force, channeled into the wonderful recording experience. The positive feedback I’ve received from the players brings me to tears.
THE BAND
Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Tony Kadleck, Chris Rogers, Wayne du Maine, Bryan Davis
Woodwinds: Lawrence Feldman, Alex Foster, Lou Marini, Ada Rovatti, Dave Mann, Roger Rosenberg, Claire Daly
Trombones: Tom "Bones" Malone, Dan Levine, Mike Davis, Dave Taylor
French Horn: John Clark
Keyboards: Paul Shaffer, Pete Levin, David Delhomme
Piano: Carmen Staaf, Andy Ezrin
Bass: Will Lee, Mark Egan, Dave Finck
Guitar: Mike Stern, Oz Noy, Leni Stern, Smokey Hormel
Drums: Danny Gottlieb, Steven Wolf, Ben Perowsky
Percussion: Will Lee, Daniel Sadownick
VOCALS: Kenya Hathaway, Will Lee
Vibraphone: Beth Gottlieb
Special Guest: Mocean Worker (bonus track remix)
Produced, Conducted, and Contracted by Lisa Maxwell
All Arrangements by Lisa Maxwell
Compositions by: Lisa Maxwell, Wayne Shorter, Hiram Bullock, John Carisi, and Carl Fischer
Recording Engineer: Noah Evans Recorded at Sear Sound NYC 2018
Mixing Engineer: Paul Wickliffe
PHOTOS:
