Maxwell Friedman Group @ The Commonwealth Pub – Fri 2/20/26 (FREE SHOW)

Maxwell Friedman (aka Malik Washington), is living proof that some musicians are indeed “born with it.” At 22 years old, Maxwell has already been playing live for 11 years and their ferocious and inspired keyboard playing, tasteful and clever compositions and musical poise and maturity are already becoming truly legendary while their skill, knowledge, taste, phrasing, artistry and professionalism are already on-par with many accomplished players on the national scene who, without hesitation, already call Maxwell their peer. One of the youngest players to have ever been endorsed by Hammond Organ, Maxwell has already been invited to share the stage with many musical heavy hitters including Karl Denson, George Porter Jr., Lettuce, The New Mastersounds, Skerik, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Nth Power, Stanton Moore, ALO, TAUK, Leftover Salmon, Jennifer Hartswick Band, and many more. Maxwell has also already been an artist-at-large multiple times at West Coast festivals including the legendary High Sierra Music Fest. This emerging young genius’ star continues to rise and perhaps the most impressive work Maxwell has done thus far has been with their own band, Maxwell Friedman Group. Assembling veteran players, many years their senior, including guitarist “Brother Gabe” Johnson and bassist Mark Karwan, the band delivers what Maxwell likes to call “Inspired Neo-Jazz Funk Soul Fusion”. This illustrious young player not only has shown a maturity beyond their years in leading their elder musicians, but also continues to write mature compositions while creating extremely colorful soundscapes that are beyond compare. MFG is set to release a new EP in early 2026 featuring Adam Deitch of Lettuce on drums and they just finished a run of West Coast dates with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. The band has previously toured the West Coast a number of times, including high profile support dates with The Greyboy Allstars and The New Mastersounds.