Detroit Music Award 2023 Winner - Outstanding Traditional Jazz Artist/Group & Outstanding Jazz Recording (Tribute to Buddy Johnson)

The PD9 performs Harlem Jive by Fats Waller, swing era tunes by Duke Ellington, Benny Moten, Count Basie and Fletcher Henderson as well as the jumpin' jive of Louis Jordan. Cofounded by RJ Spangler & James O'Donnell in 2007, this band is celebrating 17 years of bringing swing music to SE Michigan listeners and swing dancers. In that time the band has performed in 11 states including some memorable gigs in New Orleans. In addition to the vocals of trumpeter James O'Donnell, the band also features the vocals of trombonist John "Tbone" Paxton and often featured artist Camille Price.

saxophones: Alex Colista, Christopher Tabaczynski & Goode Wyche III, brass: James O'Donnell, Charlie Miller & Tbone Paxton, rhythm: Michael Zaporski, Trevor Lamb, Sean Perlmutter & RJ Spangler

"Unlike some tribute albums that veer off course, Planet D Nonet is staunchly devoted to Ellington's spirit and music, and Echoes of Harlem, Vol. 2 does its best to introduce a new generation of listeners to the Duke's remarkable originality, talent and resourcefulness."

"The group could pass for a combo taken from Ellington’s orchestra circa 1959-60. While its players do not actually copy such greats as cornetist Ray Nance, trumpeter Clark Terry, clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton, altoist Johnny Hodges, tenor-saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, baritonist Harry Carney, or Duke himself, they sound as if this was a group from the era that Ellington might have started if he wanted to have a second orchestra."

Blues to be There is exactly how this made me feel. I wanted to be there listening to this band. Even more so than when I first heard Ellington's original recording of the title tune on Duke's legendary Newport 56 recording - the one where Gonsalves gets a bit long-winded! This is magical and the soloists know when to take the mouthpiece out of their gob!

Detroit's RJ Spangler and band have done it again. Fresh off a Louis Jordan tribute album in its Live at the Scarab Club series, the band digs even deeper for fans of 1940s-era proto-R&B with a tribute to Buddy Johnson. Planet D Nonet's tribute is so impeccably played, and so crisply recorded, it's a surprise to hear the crowd cheer and remember this is a live set – especially as Johnson's music walks the chalk line between jazz's classy airs and pre-rock raunch. This lovingly curated series is a service to pre-existing hepcats, but, more importantly, to those cats who have yet to be hepped. If you're "crazy 'bout a saxophone," this is for you.

"Knocked out by your consistently brilliant musicianship. Buddy Johnson tribute album is a strong move, and I'm spreading the word."