Urban Vigilante by Shawn Maxwell

#48 on JazzWeek Chart
Top 50 on College Music Journal “Jazz Chart” for 4 weeks

“There’s a freshness to what happens on these tunes... Everyone genuinely sounds like they’re having fun... his best work yet. For starters, there’s Maxwell’s sound - it’s unique for an alto, where everyone tried to sound like Bird or Cannonball. And if you don’t sound like Bird or Cannonball, someone will tell you that you sound like Jackie McLean. Maxwell sounds like none of the above, and actually gets a fairly heavy sound out of the alto - it sometimes hints at Kenny Garrett, but at this point even the Garrett influence is becoming obscured. These days, Shawn Maxwell sounds like Shawn Maxwell, and that’s a great thing... People liking their jazz acoustic, straight-ahead and in the pocket will have lots to love here.” - Paul Abella, Chicago Jazz Magazine, September 2011

“… runs the gamut from the dark, noirish “Monster Shoes” to more upbeat fare like the forcefully swinging “Juggernaut”, the buoyant, Latin-flavored “Starscream” and the brightly appealing title track… The common thread running through this varied program is the sound of Maxwell’s potent, facile sax lines, which comfortably straddle old-school and contemporary jazz camps.” - Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times Magazine, November 2011

“Invariably, mention is made of Shawn Maxwell’s tone... In the end, the comparisons represent unsatisfactory attempts to describe Maxwell’s distinctive, burly sound... fully expressive with a slight vibrato, undulating dynamics and extensions of notes for their full value... a cohesive, exhilarating quartet of musicians equally inspired by the possibilities presented... the group’s mutual support and unity of purpose combine to create separate overall moods for each of the tracks... The group’s cohesiveness, the intriguing compositions and Maxwell’s always appealing sound invite attention and enjoyment.” - Bill Donaldson, Cadence Magazine, June 2012

“... the unusual, even striking articulation Maxwell applies to phrase after phrase of his solos on Urban Vigilante... you’ll find that these devices have purpose; they disturb the lines in small but important ways, and it makes a world of difference. And when added to his timbre – with its keening bittersweet urgency and swirling overtones and nearly physical presence – these devices help mold an edgy and powerful improvisatory style...” - Neil Tesser (from the liner notes)

As a composer, recording artist and performer, saxophonist Shawn Maxwell has endeavored to express his own unique voice. From his latest album Millstream (Jazzline, 2020) to his debut Originals (self-released, 2005), he has released nine albums of original compositions. .

shawnmaxwell.com
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