Bill Maxwell – Jazz Drummer [Koinonia & Open Hands]

Bill Maxwell jazz drummer

Bill Maxwell was born in Oklahoma City, but now lives in Los Angeles, California. Maxwell started playing drums professionally at the age of twelve. One of his first bands included legendary blues guitarist Jesse Ed Davis. He was a member of the Third Avenue Blues Band, whose album was produced by T-Bone Burnett in 1969. … Read more

Dizzy Gillespie – Jazz Pioneer & Bebop Symbol

Dizzy Gillespie

October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993  Dizzy Gillespie was one of the principal developers of bop in the early 1940s, and his styles of improvising and trumpet playing were imitated widely in the 1940s and 1950s. Indeed, he is one of the most influential players in the history of jazz. Gillespie was the youngest … Read more

Charlie Christian – Bebop and Cool Jazz Inovator

Charlie Christian

Charles Henry “Charlie” Christian (July 29, 1916 – March 2, 1942) was an American swing and jazz guitarist Charlie Christian was an important early performer on the electric guitar and a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra … Read more

Madeline Manning Mims – Olympic Medalist and Gospel Artist

Madeline Manning Mims

January 11, 1948 — Madeline Manning Mims is an author, international speaker and contemporary gospel recording artist. Her capability as an outstanding musical performer has taken her from the world of athletics to the world of music, where she was requested to use her singing talents for international banquets and stadium renditions, international concerts, television, … Read more