Don Was Hits the Road: The Pan-Detroit Ensemble’s Winter Tour Brings Jazz & Blues Across the Midwest
Don Was may be the president of Blue Note Records, but he’s also an accomplished bassist who’s been performing and touring for decades. Lately he’s been on the road with Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir as part of Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros. Last year he introduced his new band called the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, and now he’s taking the show back on the road.
Was and crew will begin on February 21st with two nights at the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The week-long run will focus on the Midwest with dates in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana. The final date on the books is at The Palladium in Carmel, Indiana.
Was played electric bass in his 80s band Was (Not Was), but these days he’s been focusing on the upright bass in his Pan-Detroit Ensemble.
“Made up of stellar jazz musicians from his Detroit hometown, the band features longtime collaborators including Blue Note Records artist Dave McMurray on sax and Eminem’s Oscar-winning collaborator keyboardist Luis Resto,” his website explains.
The band performs an eclectic set of music, from Detroit-based music like blues and R&B as well as songs by the Grateful Dead and Hank Williams.
Check the vibe on “Neighborhoods”:
Don Was & the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Tour Dates:
| Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 21 | Ann Arbor, MI | Blue Llama Jazz Club |
| Feb 22 | Ann Arbor, MI | Blue Llama Jazz Club |
| Feb 23 | Lansing, MI | Grewal Hall at 224 |
| Feb 25 | Dvanston, IL | Space |
| Feb 26 | Milwaukee, WI | Turner Ballroom |
| Feb 27 | Cleveland, OH | Music Box Supper Club |
| Feb 28 | Carmel, IN | The Palladium |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
