Product Code Database
Thomas Maxwell Davis, Jr. (January 14, 1916 – September 18, 1970), (2026). 9780313344237, Praeger Publishers. ISBN 9780313344237 was an American rhythm and blues saxophonist, arrangement, bandleader and record producer.
In 1955, he left Aladdin and joined the Bihari brothers at Modern Records (and its subsidiaries RPM, Crown Records and Kent Records) as musical director and a producer. As the Biharis' main band leader, Davis arranged the music and found the musicians. Although his success rate started to diminish thereafter, he became regarded as an elder statesman and as "the father of West Coast R&B".
"Maxwell Davis is an unsung hero of early rhythm and blues," noted the songwriter and producer Mike Stoller. "He produced, in effect, all of the record sessions for Aladdin records, Modern records, all the local independent rhythm and blues companies in the early 1950s, late 1940s in Los Angeles."
His final recording activity was in 1969, as the producer of the soul singer Z. Z. Hill.
Davis died from a heart attack, in Los Angeles, California, in September 1970.
|
|
