Justin Jozwiak (alto sax & cl), Jim Holden (tenor sax & cl), Joshua James (alto, bari & sp sax), James O'Donnell (trumpet 1), Jason Bohde (trumpet 2), John Paxton (trombone) or Tony Buccelli (tromobe), Jef Reynolds or Jim Macleod (upright bass), Dave Gadd (piano), RJ Spangler (drums). Auxiliary members include Ken Ferry & Kenny Robinson (trumpet), Keith Kaminski (tenor sax & cl) Rick Steiger (bari & alto sax, cl) & Noah Jackson (string bass). Both Pat Prouty & Joshua James contribute arrangements. Also, Dan Devins or Charles "Buddy" Smith Sr., sing standards and blues on some of the gigs. Mario Rodriguez often sings & plays harmonica with us these days.
Influences
Ellington, Strayhorn, SW Territory Bands, Sun Ra, Fletcher Henderson, etc.
Sounds Like
The first three songs on this page were recorded by Joshua James, March of 08. The next one ("Too Close For Comfort") features Jarra Michelle McKinney on vocals & was recorded at rehearsal on August 19/08 by Dave Gadd & his son, Daniel. This is an original arrangement by our bari player Josh James. On "Hoppin' John" the band is a Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams tune recorded at the 2008 Detroit Jazz Fest. The last four tunes were recorded by George Friend at his studio in June & July of 2009.
The PLANET D NONET "a down & dirty little swing band from Detroit" was founded by drummer RJ Spangler & trumpeter James O’Donnell, two eastside Detroit based musicians who’ve been playing together for over 30 years. The Nonet features players from such venerated groups as the Sun Messengers, Bon Ton Roule' and Johnnie Bassett & the Blues Insurgents as well as some talented young veterans. We play the classic swing music of Ellington & Strayhorn, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie & Benny Carter as well as more modern jazz by Sun Ra and Pharoah Saunders, and always with a Detroit twist. The Planet D Nonet is about swing, blues, space-age jazz and classic American songs all served with plenty of good humor with an eye toward turning people onto this kind of music. We feel it is very important that people experience this music live and in person.
RJ, Gutz, Noah, Dave, and All the rest of the guys: Thank you so much for the honor of playing with you! RJ, thank you so much for the invite. The last time I played with that many folks on stage was at my wedding in '83! Noah, thanks for letting me play your gal. When in Dallas, look me up and I'll be happy to return the favor!
Our beloved colleagues!
Thank you for your friendship!
Watch us and enjoy!
sincerely,
Armen Martirosian, artistic director, AJB
AJB Live Part 1
To purchase The Armenian Jazz Band's-"MASISAMBA" album in the form of MP3 Digital Downloads (8 tracks) please click on the link below.
Individual MP3 Digital Download Tracks can be purchased for $.99 each and full length MP3 Digital Download Albums are also available for purchase.
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