Maxx McGathey is a Chicago-based pianist, composer, music director, band leader and educator. His main projects include the retro-horror-infused “doom funk” band Gramps The Vamp, the orchestral spaghetti-western themed project Dark Canyon, and his new 11-piece noir-jazz composing project, which performs as the Maxx McGathey Orchestra. Also a film composer, Maxx has written and performed 6 feature-length live film scores for clients like WBEZ, The Music Box Theater and the Chicago Park District’s “Movies in the Parks”. In addition to his creative pursuits, Maxx is a prolific collaborator, having performed or recorded with Chicago acts like Divino Niño, V.V. Lightbody, Ric Wilson, David Quinn, and Secret Colours (to name a few). Maxx’s grants, awards and residencies include a 2023 Illinois Arts Council Grant for recording, two piano residencies (2022 & 2023) at Yellowstone National Park, a 2021 composer’s residency at I-Park Foundation in Connecticut, and a 2020 grant for recording from DCASE (the City of Chicago’s Cultural Affairs Department). Maxx is also a passionate educator, having introduced dozens of students to the piano.