A fine pianist and a skillful arranger, Billy Maxted is largely forgotten today because his recordings were mostly for tiny labels; none have been reissued on CD yet. Maxted started out playing and arranging for the Red Nichols big band during 1937-40. He worked briefly with Ben Pollack and Teddy Powell, and played with Will Bradley (1941-42) where he sat in the seat formerly held by Freddie Slack. After serving in the Navy he provided arrangements for Benny Goodman and Claude Thornhill and co-led a band with Ray Eberle (1947-48). Maxted put together his own dixieland group (the Manhattan Jazz Band) in the late 40's which featured his Bob Zurke-inspired stride and boogie-woogie piano and his inventive arrangements. Maxted worked frequently as the resident pianist at Nick's during 1949-60. In the 1950's he recorded for MGM, Brunswick (a rare trio date), Cadence and Seeco. His sidemen included trumpeter Chuck Forsyth, trombonist Lee Gifford, either Sol Pace or Dan Tracey on clarinet and (by 1958) bass saxophonist Johnny Dengler. During 1961-63, Maxted recorded three albums for the forgotten K & H label but ironically best known are two rather commercial sets for Liberty in 1966. In addition, he appeared on records by Pee Wee Erwin, Bob Crosby and Red Nichols. Not much has been heard from Maxted in jazz after the late 1960's. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
