Ticket Special: Josh Maxey at Baur’s | Oct. 4

Guitarist Josh Maxey kicks off Baur’s Restaurant and Listening Lounge’s Jazz-tober-fest with an October 4 performance from 7 to 10 PM.

Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Josh Maxey began playing guitar at age 12 after hearing John Coltrane’s ”A Love Supreme” and falling in love with jazz.

After 15 years in New York, Maxey recently moved to Denver, Colorado, where he continues to write, perform, record and teach.

Ticket are available for purchase here. Use promo code KUVO to receive a $10 discount off each general admission ticket. 

Baur’s Jazz-tober-fest line-up includes:

• Joe Smith & The Spicy Pickles | Oct. 5, 7:30 PM (No cover)
• Katie Thiroux Quartet | Oct. 8,  8 PM
• Jazz Session hosted by Nate Lawrence | Oct. 21 & 28, 8:30 PM (no cover) 
• Dmitry Matheny Group | Oct. 22, 8 PM
• Gian-Carla Tisera & Elio Villfranca Trio | Oct. 25, 7 PM
• Elio Villafranca Trio | Oct. 26, 7 PM

Maxey attended The Jazz and Contemporary Music Program at The New School, studying with such renowned artists as Chico Hamilton who was an early supporter. Maxey also began formal studies with guitarist Rodney Jones who became a friend and mentor. 

Working with Jones on recording projects and performances, Maxey interacted with and learned from such illustrious jazz figures as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Maceo Parker, Idris Muhammad, Donald Harrison and Carl Allen. In addition, social occasions brought Maxey into contact with some of his favorite musicians including George Benson, Doug and Jean Carn, Ed Cherry and Bruce Johnson, all of whom became informal mentors.

These formative experiences found expressive shape in 2011 when Maxey decided to record six albums in 12 months. Incarnate, Approach, The Language of Sound and Spirit, Argument for the Blues, Light Cycles and Cycles of Sound were then released over the following two years. The albums, Blues in the Kitchen and Rhythm of the Sound Current were released next, followed by a retrospective of the series, Completing the Cycle.

Maxey’s current recording, Celebration of Soul – released on Miles High Records – is the tenth recording in the series, a project that has now encompassed 50 original compositions and 20 different musicians.

Drawing on the message of John Coltrane, one of Maxey’s earliest and most significant influences, Celebration of Soul honors the spiritual tradition in jazz improvisation.

“For me, sound is a sacred artistic medium,” Maxey says. “Music is able to express the many peaks and valleys of being human, even beyond words. It opens up a space within the listener to identify with a greater state of being and makes it possible for a person to perceive and take their own next steps. I have found that music, and sound is able take us closer to the source of meaning and purpose than I had even imagined.”

Learn more about Maxey here.