Photo Credit: Miryam Ramos

Six-time GRAMMY-winning musician, producer, composer, and Blue Note Records President Don Was has unveiled his new band, dubbed Don Was and The Pan-Detroit Ensemble, featuring an assemblage of jazz-leaning artists from the artist’s hometown, including longtime collaborator Dave McMurray (sax) and Luis Resto (keyboard). In conjunction with the news, the group has dropped a series of first-time tour dates slated for May and early June.

“When the opportunity came to put together a new band, the message was clear to me: go back to Detroit where I came from, be who I am, play like who I am and team up with some like-minded individuals,” says Was, expressing admiration for his hometown and the music/musicians it turns out. Besides the aforementioned contributors, The Pan-Detroit Ensemble extends with the inclusion of trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canaday, percussionist Mahindi Masai, guitarist Wayne Gerard, and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an.

Adding context, Was added, “There’s a unique sound and feel to Detroit that permeates the music in a way that resonates all over the globe. There is a rawness, a lack of pretension and an unmistakable, underlying groove that reflects the people and culture of the entire city.” Referencing the group’s inspiration, they named John Lee Hooker, Donald Byrd, Joe Henderson, George Clinton, Mitch Ryder, The Stooges and Electrifying Mojo as sources. 

The Pan-Detroit Ensemble and Was also noted that they will perform a mix of new originals and interpretations of songs written by artists like Yusef Lateef, Olu Dara, Henry Threadgill, and more on the road. “It’s jazzy and improvisational but also glued together with a sinewy R&B groove. It’s not slick or smooth — it’s a very raw, honest, Detroit kind of thing. The experiences I’ve had touring with Bobby Weir over the last six years, along with what I’ve learned from the artists on the Blue Note roster have pointed the way towards realizing that sound; The Pan Detroit Ensemble finally manifests that ‘thing’ I’ve been pursuing. The intention is to make communicative music that gets under the listener’s skin and brings them some joy, comfort and understanding in deeply troubled times. It’s all connected,” the band leader offered. 

In tangent with the band announcement, Was also dropped a slate of dates and offered, “This tour is just the start. I know we’ve got some special chemistry going on in this band, and I can’t wait to see what it evolves into. The plan is to keep learning and growing until we drop… It’s too late to turn back now!”

Scroll down to view a list of forthcoming tour dates and sample the band’s sound below.

Tour Dates:

May 21 – Dakota – Minneapolis

May 22 – SPACE – Evanston, Ill. 

May 24 – Orchestra Hall – Detroit

May 25 – Memorial Hall – Cincinnati

May 26 – Delfest – Cumberland, Md. 

May 28 – The Vogel at Count Basie Center – Red Bank, N.J.

May 30 – The Hamilton Live – Washington, D.C.

May 31 – City Winery  – New York City 

June 2 – Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, Pa.