Six-Time GRAMMY-Winning Musician, Producer & Composer, Don Was Announces US Tour Dates for Newest Group Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

New Album Groove in the Face of Adversity
Out Now via Mack Avenue Records

November 17, 2025: Today, six-time GRAMMY-winning musician, producer, and composer, Don Was announced new tour dates for his latest group Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. Drawing on the wide-ranging influences of his five-decade career, the Ensemble’s new album Groove in the Face of Adversity (out now via Mack Avenue Records) channels the soul of the Motor City through a blend of steamy jazz, juke-joint blues, and loose-limbed funk—a sound both timeless and deeply personal. In concert, Don and the band will feature music from Groove in the Face of Adversity alongside a live rendition of The Grateful Dead’s Blues for Allah, honoring the album’s 50th anniversary. Full list of tour dates is below.

The Pan-Detroit Ensemble features top-tier jazz musicians from Don’s hometown, including longtime collaborator Dave McMurray on saxophone, and Eminem’s Oscar-winning collaborator, keyboardist Luis Resto. Additional members include trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canaday, percussionist Mahindi Masai, guitarist Wayne Gerard, and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an. “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.”

Over the past five decades, Don Was has become one of music’s most respected figures—as a producer, bassist, composer, and longtime head of Blue Note Records. His production credits span The Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, and many others, with combined sales exceeding 100 million albums. His honors include a BAFTA Award (Backbeat), an Emmy (The Beatles: The Night That Changed America), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association.

In addition to leading the Don Was Detroit All-Star Revue for more than 15 years, he co-hosts The Don Was Motor City Playlist on Detroit’s WDET-FM and Dinner with Don Was on SiriusXM. Since 2018, he has toured worldwide with Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros, the group he co-founded with Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir.

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Tour Dates:

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

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

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

Jan 14 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall

Jan 15 – Washington, DC – Atlantis

Jan 16 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café & Music Hall

Jan 17 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

Jan 18 – Morgantown, WV – Mountain Stage (NPR)

Jan 20 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue

Jan 22 – Decatur, AL – Princess Theater

Jan 23 – Germantown, TN – Highland Performance Hall (GPAC)

Jan 24 – Edwardsville, IL – Wildey Theatre

Jan 25 – Chicago, IL – Garcia’s (Early/Late Shows)

Jan 29 – Denver, CO – Newman Center for the Performing Arts

Jan 30 – Aspen, CO – Wheeler Opera House

Feb 1 – Aliso Viejo, CA – Soka University

Feb 4 – Nashville, TN – Basement East

Feb 5 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse

Feb 6 – Birmingham, AL – Alys Robinson Stephens PAC

Feb 7 – Savannah, GA – District Live at Plant Riverside District

Feb 10 – Sarasota, FL – The Venue at Harvest House

Feb 11 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Parker Playhouse

Feb 12 – Clearwater, FL – The Capitol

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

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

Feb 15 – Stuart, FL – Lyric Theatre

Mar 26 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat

Mar 28 – Knoxville, TN – Big Ears Festival

ABOUT THE PAN-DETROIT ENSEMBLE
Formed by Don Was, The Pan-Detroit Ensemble unites some of Detroit’s most accomplished jazz players, including 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).

Contact

Management: Larry Jenkins / LJ Entertainment
donwasinfo@ljentertainment.com

Bookings:
Jack Randall / Ted Kurland Agency
jack@thekurlandagency.com

Frank Riley / High Road Touring
Frank@highroadtouring.com

©2025 Don Was