Don Was—Grammy-winning producer, bassist for Bob Weir & Wolf Bros, and president of Blue Note Records—has announced the debut album from his band The Pan-Detroit Ensemble along with the first leg of an extensive headlining tour. The tour will showcase songs from the band’s forthcoming record alongside a complete performance of the Grateful Dead’s Blues for Allah in honor of the album’s 50th anniversary.
Launched in 2024, the nine-piece soul jazz band draws inspiration from Motor City’s wide-ranging musical history, citing influences ranging from John Lee Hooker, Donald Byrd, and Joe Henderson to George Clinton, Mitch Ryder, The Stooges, and Electrifying Mojo.
“There’s a unique sound and feel to Detroit that permeates the music in a way that resonates all over the globe,” said Was. “There is a rawness, a lack of pretension and an unmistakable, underlying groove that reflects the people and culture of the entire city.”
Don Was On The Pan-Detroit Ensemble
Led by Was with Dave McMurray on sax, Luis Resto on keys, Vincent Chandler on trombone, John Douglas on trumpet, Jeff Canaday on drums, Mahindi Masai on percussion, Wayne Gerard on guitar, and Steffanie Christi’an on vocals, the band debuted last spring, performing a mix of originals and songs by Yusef Lateef, Olu Dara, Henry Threadgill, and more during a short run spanning intimate clubs, historic concert halls, and major festival stages.
Was characterized the band’s sound as “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,” he explained.
He went on to describe how his experiences touring with Bob Weir and working with artists on the Blue Note roster “have pointed the way towards realizing that sound,” adding, “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.”
Don Was And The Pan-Detroit Ensemble – “Midnight Marauders”
With the band’s debut album due out this fall via Mac Avenue Music, Don Was and the Pan Detroit Ensemble will kick off their fall tour in Japan with a three-night, six-show residency at Blue Note Tokyo leading up to an appearance at Blue Note Jazz Festival in Japan on September 27th. The band will then return to the States in October for shows in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and West Virginia, including an album release show in Detroit on October 11th and an appearance at Golden Road Festival on the 18th, with additional dates to be announced. Scroll down for a full list of shows.
Tickets are on sale now. Head here for more information.
Don Was And The Pan-Detroit Ensemble Tour Dates:
Sep 24 – Blue Note Tokyo, Minato-ku, Japan
Sep 25 – Blue Note Tokyo, Minato-ku, Japan
Sep 26 – Blue Note Tokyo, Minato-ku, Japan
Oct 8 – The Alluvion, Traverse City, MI
Oct 9 – Grewal Hall at 224, Lansing, MI
Oct 10 – Space, Evanston, IL
Oct 11 – The Majestic Theatre, Detroit, MI
Oct 15 – Headliners Music Hall, Louisville, KY
Oct 16 – Jefferson Theater, Charlottesville, VA
Oct 17 – Haw River Ballroom, Graham, NC
Oct 18 – Golden Road Festival 2025, Buford, GA
Jan 18 – Lyell B Clay Concert Theatre, Morgantown, WV