Who are The Night Players?
The Night Players bring together some of D.C.'s most accomplished and experienced musicians. Members have played in big bands, symphony orchestras, bluegrass bands, tribute bands, string quartets, reggae bands - you name the style, we've played it. Meet the members of The Night Players.
Meet The Band
Heather Maxwell
Vocals and Percussion
Heather Maxwell is an ethnomusicologist and experienced music professional in West Africa and the United States. In addition to her on-air talent and production, Heather writes a companion blog Music Time in Africa featuring in-depth interviews, reviews and live performances of African musicians. You can also watch original Music Time in Africa videos and TV features for Africa 54 and Music Alley on her YouTube channel. Heather writes and produces her own music, and has released several EPs available on Spotify.
TJ Murphy
Keyboards and Vocals
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party. Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party.
Tim Clotworthy
Guitar and Vocals
Tim started on guitar at age 10 and, by age 20, was performing with the band Crazy Fingers, a popular DC band, throughout the 80s and 90s. After a break to raise kids, Tim returned with the Americana and country act The Bob Lauder Band from 2011 to 2017, and performed in the late 2010s with the Two Extras Band. In 2022, Tim formed Good Trouble with Charlie Olson and Tom (TJ) Murphy, and they’ve been performing together ever since. Tim also performs with the Tedeschi Trucks tribute band Sweet Soul.
Charlie Olson
Bass and Vocals
Charlie's musical journey began with singing in a boy's choir at age 8. Cello lessons followed in grade 3, and Charlie spent hours performing in symphony orchestras, string quartets and piano trios. (Highlights include watching the King of Norway fall asleep during an orchestra performance in college.) The cello led to the upright bass, which led to the electric bass. Soon the allure of jazz (and its stepson, rock and roll) beckoned, and Charlie has spent years playing bass in rock, bluegrass, big band, fusion and jazz settings.
John Henderson
Drums
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, John has performed with many R&B, rock, and jazz groups in Kansas City, Arkansas, D.C. and Maryland, including the BlackByrds, Pharoah Sanders, Loston Harris, Ed Wiley, Jr., Kenny Rittenhouse, Lee Edgecombe, Lyle Link, Perry Conticchio, Johnny Long, the jazz band “Clarity” and the R&B Funk band Blaq Orpheus. He has led his own jazz band, N’Time, and the R&B funk bands PowerPlay and Real Thyme. He also leads the funk band The InFluence, performing throughout the DMV.