Duris Maxwell
Encyclopedia
Duris Maxwell also known as Ted Lewis, is a Canadian drummer
who has played with many bands, including Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers
, Powder Blues Band
, Doucette
, The Temptations
, Jefferson Airplane
, and Skylark
. He has also played on the albums Dreamboat Annie
by Heart
and Ki
by Devin Townsend
.
In the 1960s, Maxwell played with Little Daddy and the Bachelors (with Tommy Chong
), The Chessmen, The Good Shepherds - three members of whom (Robbie King, Ed Patterson, and Duris) became half of 'Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers'. Signed to Motown in 1967 they recorded one album that was produced by Berry Gordy and toured the United States, with one trip to London, England where Jimi Hendrix joined them onstage at either the 'Speakeasy' or the 'Marquee'.
In the 1970s he played and recorded with Jefferson Airplane
and Skylark
, and formed the bands Brahman and Genni Maxwell and Country Love. He did session work for many bands, including one track for Heart's 'Dreamboat Annie'. He also recorded part or all of the following albums for 'The Irish Rovers'; 'Alexis Rose Radlin'; 'Dixon House'; 'Jason Hoover'; and 'Jerry Doucette'.
Through the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Maxwell recorded albums with 'Powder Blues'; 'Trooper' (Money Talks); and, 'The Jim Byrnes Band'.
In 1987, Maxwell put his musical career on hold to begin a 5 1/2 year quest for a law degree. It began at the Native Education Centre
, then the University of British Columbia as an undergrad; then the University of Saskatchewan Law Centre; and finally three years at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law. He received his law degree from UBC in 1993, but did not pursue a law career. He began playing full time again in 2001. His first gig after a 13 year "break" was Ron Irving's 'Into The Blue' CD. He then toured with Nigel Mack;moved to Calgary, then Winnipeg where he recorded 'Muskrat Blues & Rock and Roll' with Billy Joe Green - a CD that won 'Best Blues CD' at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.
Back in Calgary he played with Johnny V and recorded the 17 song CD 'Agnostically Eclectic'. Duris also recorded 'Awakenings' wit Guy Chaput's 'Sci-fi Band'.
Now back in British Columbia, Duris joined 'The George Leach' and has recorded one CD scheduled for release in the summer of 2009. He also recorded Devin Townsend's new CD 'Ki'.
Duris is still active as a session and touring player. He also provides teaching workshops and private instruction - with a focus on First Nations students as well as "troubled' youth.
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
who has played with many bands, including Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers
Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers
Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers were a soul band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Briefly signed to Motown Records in the late 1960s, they had one top 30 hit single, "Does Your Mama Know About Me". As a producer and solo artist, Bobby Taylor contributed to several other soul recordings, both inside...
, Powder Blues Band
Powder Blues Band
The Powder Blues Band is a Canadian blues/pop/jazz band formed in 1978 in Vancouver. Its first album Uncut went double platinum in Canada. The second album Thirsty Ears was similarly popular...
, Doucette
Jerry Doucette
Jerry Doucette is a Canadian guitarist and singer-songwriter.Doucette joined numerous bands prior to his solo career, starting with The Reefers during his childhood. He eventually moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, and subsequently signed a solo recording deal with Mushroom Records...
, The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
, and Skylark
Skylark (Canadian band)
Skylark was a former Canadian pop/rock band active from 1971–1973 and based in the Pacific Northwest. The band formed from one of Ronnie Hawkins' backup groups and signed with Capitol Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1972 which spawned three singles...
. He has also played on the albums Dreamboat Annie
Dreamboat Annie
Dreamboat Annie is the debut album by American rock band Heart. It was released in the United States on February 14, 1976 through Mushroom Records. It contained three hit singles which became staples on FM radio...
by Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
and Ki
Ki (album)
Ki is the eleventh studio album by Canadian musician Devin Townsend, and the first of four albums in The Devin Townsend Project series. The album was released in May 2009 on his independent record label HevyDevy Records....
by Devin Townsend
Devin Townsend
Devin Garret Townsend is a Canadian musician and record producer. He was the founder, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad from 1994 to 2007 and has had an extensive career as a solo artist....
.
Biography
Duris Maxwell (Mohawk)(aka Ted Lewis, until legal name change to Duris Maxwell in 1970) was born June 15, 1946 in East York, Ontario. His family moved to Vancouver in 1948. His mother was a pianist and his father played fiddle and guitar, and he began playing drums as a pre-schooler. He first began touring with 'Evan Kemp and the Trail Riders' in 1960 at the age of 14. Around this time he began to study with drum instructor Jim Blackley. His previous drum instructors were Vic Luff and Val Mock.In the 1960s, Maxwell played with Little Daddy and the Bachelors (with Tommy Chong
Tommy Chong
Tommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor, writer, director, activist, and musician who is well known for his stereotypical portrayals of hippie-era stoners...
), The Chessmen, The Good Shepherds - three members of whom (Robbie King, Ed Patterson, and Duris) became half of 'Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers'. Signed to Motown in 1967 they recorded one album that was produced by Berry Gordy and toured the United States, with one trip to London, England where Jimi Hendrix joined them onstage at either the 'Speakeasy' or the 'Marquee'.
In the 1970s he played and recorded with Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane was an American rock band formed in San Francisco in 1965. A pioneer of the psychedelic rock movement, Jefferson Airplane was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve mainstream commercial and critical success....
and Skylark
Skylark (Canadian band)
Skylark was a former Canadian pop/rock band active from 1971–1973 and based in the Pacific Northwest. The band formed from one of Ronnie Hawkins' backup groups and signed with Capitol Records, releasing a self-titled album in 1972 which spawned three singles...
, and formed the bands Brahman and Genni Maxwell and Country Love. He did session work for many bands, including one track for Heart's 'Dreamboat Annie'. He also recorded part or all of the following albums for 'The Irish Rovers'; 'Alexis Rose Radlin'; 'Dixon House'; 'Jason Hoover'; and 'Jerry Doucette'.
Through the late 1970s and mid-1980s, Maxwell recorded albums with 'Powder Blues'; 'Trooper' (Money Talks); and, 'The Jim Byrnes Band'.
In 1987, Maxwell put his musical career on hold to begin a 5 1/2 year quest for a law degree. It began at the Native Education Centre
Native Education Centre
The NEC Native Education College is a registered private aboriginal college based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is governed by non-profit society and is a registered charitable organization.Programs and courses offered include:...
, then the University of British Columbia as an undergrad; then the University of Saskatchewan Law Centre; and finally three years at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law. He received his law degree from UBC in 1993, but did not pursue a law career. He began playing full time again in 2001. His first gig after a 13 year "break" was Ron Irving's 'Into The Blue' CD. He then toured with Nigel Mack;moved to Calgary, then Winnipeg where he recorded 'Muskrat Blues & Rock and Roll' with Billy Joe Green - a CD that won 'Best Blues CD' at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.
Back in Calgary he played with Johnny V and recorded the 17 song CD 'Agnostically Eclectic'. Duris also recorded 'Awakenings' wit Guy Chaput's 'Sci-fi Band'.
Now back in British Columbia, Duris joined 'The George Leach' and has recorded one CD scheduled for release in the summer of 2009. He also recorded Devin Townsend's new CD 'Ki'.
Duris is still active as a session and touring player. He also provides teaching workshops and private instruction - with a focus on First Nations students as well as "troubled' youth.