Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Extend ‘Groove In The Face Of Adversity’ Tour

Photo: Tristan Williams

On October 10, Don Was and The Pan-Detroit Ensemble debuted their highly anticipated album, Groove In The Face of Adversity, featuring the six-time Grammy Award-winning bandleader and his nine-piece soul-jazz ensemble’s distinct brand of Motor City music. After initially releasing a schedule of live shows in support of the collection, Was has extended the tour and added new locations to the band’s upcoming roster. 

After announcing an initial leg of tour dates, which would effectively end live support after January 18’s performance at the Lyell B Clay Concert Theatre in Morgantown, W.V., the group has extended their time on the road by adding 20 new concerts to their schedule. The first newly added gig will take place on Jan. 20 at The Vogue in Indianapolis, with regional follow-ups in Decatur, Ala., and Germantown, Tenn. They’ll break the trend by making their way to the Midwest, stopping at the Wildey Theatre in  Edwardsville, Ill., on  Jan. 24, prior to their highly anticipated arrival at Garcia’s Chicago. 

The band will continue their trek, arriving in Denver on Jan. 29 and Aspen, Colo., the following evening. On Feb. 1, the group that includes, Jeff Canaday (drums), Vincent Chandler (trombone), Steffanie Christi’an (vocals), John Douglas (trumpet), Wayne Gerard (guitar), Mahindi Masai (percussion), Dave McMurray (saxophone), and Luis Resto (keyboards) and Was, will play at Soka University in Aliso Viejo, Calif. 

Ultimately, on Feb. 4, the group returns to the South, performing at Nashville’s Basement East. They will continue to show support for their new album on Feb. 5 at Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse, Feb. 6 at Alys Robinson Stephens PAC in Birmingham, Ala., and District Live at Plant Riverside District in Savannah, Ga., on Feb. 7.

Don Was and The Pan-Detroit Ensemble’s final live appearances will take them to multiple Sunshine State locations, from Sarasota’s The Venue at Harvest House on Feb. 10, to the Lyric Theatre in Stuart, Fla., on Feb. 15. A tour outlier on March 26 will bring the band to The Ramkat in Winston-Salem, N.C., two days ahead of their newly scheduled participation at Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tenn. 

 “There’s a unique sound and feel to Detroit that permeates the music in a way that resonates all over the globe,” says Was. “There’s a rawness, a lack of pretension, and an unmistakable underlying groove that reflects the people and culture of the entire city.” 

Scroll down for a complete list of Don Was and The Pan-Detroit Ensemble’s forthcoming live appearances. 

Read the band leader’s new interview with Relix now.

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Tour Dates:

Jan 9 – Ann Arbor, Mich. – Blue Llama (Early/Late Shows) 

Jan 10 – Ann Arbor, Mich. – Blue Llama (Early/Late Shows)

Jan 12 – New York – Blue Note (Early/Late Shows)

Jan 14 – Ardmore, Pa. – Ardmore Music Hall

Jan 15 – Washington, D.C. – Atlantis

Jan 16 – Pittsburgh – Thunderbird Café & Music Hall

Jan 17 – Cleveland – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

Jan 18 – Morgantown, W.V. – Mountain Stage (NPR)

Jan 20 – Indianapolis – The Vogue

Jan 22 – Decatur, Ala. – Princess Theater

Jan 23 – Germantown, Tenn. – Highland Performance Hall (GPAC)

Jan 24 – Edwardsville, Ill. – Wildey Theatre

Jan 25 – Chicago – Garcia’s

Jan 29 – Denver – Newman Center for the Performing Arts

Jan 30 – Aspen, Colo. – Wheeler Opera House

Feb 1 – Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Soka University

Feb 4 – Nashville – Basement East

Feb 5 – Atlanta – Variety Playhouse

Feb 6 – Birmingham, Ala. – Alys Robinson Stephens PAC

Feb 7 – Savannah, Ga. – District Live at Plant Riverside District 

Feb 10 – Sarasota, Fla. – The Venue at Harvest House

Feb 11 – Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – Parker Playhouse

Feb 12 – Clearwater, Fla. – The Capitol

Feb 13 – Orlando, Fla. – Phillips Center PAC at Judson’s Hall

Feb 14 – St. Augustine, Fla. – Fort Mose Historic State Park

Feb 15 – Stuart, Fla. – Lyric Theatre

Mar 26 – Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Ramkat

Mar 28 – Knoxville, Tenn. – Big Ears Festival