The Mercurial Don Was, an American musician, record producer, music director, film composer, documentary filmmaker, and radio host, brought his new band of exceptional jazz talents from his hometown of Detroit to the historic Lobero Theatre on October 2.
The audience consisted mainly of local and well-known musicians living in Santa Barbara, a testament to the draw of a band composed of musicians who inspire other musicians. Simply stated, the 90-minute concert was next level. The Pan-Detroit Ensemble featured a cast of masterful musical talent, including Was's long-time collaborators like Blue Note Records artist Dave McMurray on sax and Eminem's Oscar-winning collaborator, keyboardist Luis Resto. Additional musicians included trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canady, percussionist Mahindi, guitarist Wayne Gerard, and singer Steffanie Christi'an.
He thanked the crowd early on for attending the show, saying, "Without knowing what the music sounded like, having not heard us play before." The show emerged as one of the most energetically soulful events of the season. A palpable buzz filled the beloved, century-old space on a warm Wednesday night as an enchanted audience became lost in a euphoric haze of old-school R&B, funk, jam-band influences, jazz, and pure good vibes.
A unique regional "medicine show" project was presented, reviving the essence of a Motor City groove machine. He took to the stage barefoot, donning his signature hat, dreadlocks, and shades. He positioned himself as the cool-headed bassist and centerpiece among a crack team of veteran musicians from his Detroit hometown. This ten-piece powerhouse boasted a thunderous rhythm section complemented by a trio of horns. They were further enhanced by the remarkable vocals of Steffanie Christi'an, who showcased her nuanced talent on several tracks, including a soulful interpretation of Hank Williams's "I Ain't Got Nothin' but Time" and a stirring finale featuring Curtis Mayfield's riff-driven anthem, "This Is My Country."
Was's illustrious career encompasses a distinguished résumé as a producer, including 13 years as head of Blue Note Records, as well as his early days as part of the inventive duo Was (Not Was). Recently, Was has been busy collaborating with Bob Weir and the Wolf Brothers, a late-life alignment with the Grateful Dead that he echoed in Pan-Detroit Ensemble's fresh arrangements of their songs, including a funk-infused rendition of "Shakedown Street" and Hunter/Garcia's "Loser." Attendees who had caught the band's more compact set at the Monterey Jazz Festival noted that the Lobero experience was more extended, stronger, and, quite literally and musically, warmer.
Musically, Was avoided easy greatest hits or predictable choices in this Detroit celebration, opting instead to emphasize the strengths and sensitivities of his talented musicians. Noteworthy performers included tenor saxophone powerhouse Dave McMurray, an established saxophonist for rock legends including sitting in with the Grateful Dead, along with the guitar wizard Wayne Gerard and the outstanding trombonist Vincent Chandler. Chandler's imaginative extended solo—an evocative journey from ethereal sounds to a complex, hyper-syncopated maze—was undoubtedly the night's highlight.
The concert featured an array of jazz-infused vamps and exploratory stretches, showcasing the sweet pulse of Yusef Lateef's "Caribbean Lady" and the heady, swampy tones of "I Can't Wait 'Til I Get Home" by the intellectually inclined Henry Threadgill. Reggae elements made gentle appearances during "Midnight Marauders," as songs were often lovingly kneaded and adapted into jammable chill zones. Throughout the performance, Was primarily fulfilled the role of foundation bassist, amidst a cadre of bold players who each enjoyed their moments in the spotlight. However, early in the set, to remind the audience of his experimental beginnings, Was took the microphone to recite the hipster-absurdist lyrics of the Was (Not Was) feel-good classic "I Feel Better than James Brown." Many in attendance undoubtedly resonated with that sentiment as they reveled in the magical atmosphere of this extraordinary night.
