About this project
Hello friends, family, and colleagues. The Planet D. Nonet is in the process of preparing for a 10 day musical tour of the midwest and southern U.S. and we need your help.
WHO WE ARE
The Planet. D. Nonet is a "little big band" based out of Detroit, Michigan. The unique instrumentation of the ensemble - 3 saxes, 3 brass, piano, bass, drums, and on occasion vocals - gives us the ability to present some unique music that is near and dear to our hearts. Whether playing the early jazz music of Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson, the Detroit R & B of Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams and King Porter (no, not that King Porter, the other one), or the avant-garde space-based music of Sun Ra and his acolytes, the Planet D. Nonet presents great music spanning the ages all through the lens of our hometown, Detroit.
https://www.facebook.com/PlanetDNonet.Detroit?sk=info
WHY A TOUR
The Planet D. Nonet has been fortunate enough to produce over 6 recordings in its short history, running the gamut from our blues and R & B heritage (Blowin' Away the Blues Vol.s 1 & 2), our penchant for trad jazz (Viper Madness featuring John Sinclair), and our foray into interstellar travel (We Travel the Spaceways: the Music of Sun Ra, a Detroit Music Award winning record). But as our video states, this outgrowth comes directly from our time spent performing to live audiences, with real everyday people listening and becoming involved with the music. We've performed in (formerly) smoky bars, established jazz clubs, and on jazz and blues festival stages, all to eager crowds thirsty for our music. When that energy becomes palpable, great music emerges. In short, that is where the real connection between our music and the audience is made: on the stage. Therefore, we need to get out and on the road, taking our music to the people. For this trip, we'll be adding our good friend Dan Devins to the roster on vocals and harp.
http://www.elmoreleonard.com/index.php?/weblog/more/a_night_out_with_the_planet_d._nonet/
HOW YOU CAN HELP
In our quest to create great music, we've been invited to perform across the midwest and southern U.S., from Toldeo to New Orleans, over a 10 day stretch in February, 2012. Our performance venues include community music series, established jazz clubs, and several blues and jazz festivals. Now that we've got the gigs, we need to get to them, and transporting 10 musicians with gear is daunting to say the least. With that in mind, we need funding enough to cover the costs of getting all of the musicians and gear to each gig in each state on time. This includes renting the appropriate vehicles, purchasing the gas, and at times obtaining lodging for the night. In the grand scheme of tour expenses, asking our friends, family, and colleagues to help raise $1500 is a small price to pay (literally) to perform this music across the country.
WHY YOU SHOULD CONTRIBUTE
We've got some great music that needs to be heard by people beyond our immediate locale. The evening news is perpetually painting a rather gloomy picture, but we're here to say it's not all gloomy. Detroit is a great town with a rich and diverse history of great music, and we are emissaries, spreading the words of DETROIT and JAZZ. Think of your contribution as being a means to help us on our quest, letting the U.S. know that Detroit is still alive, and we're still swingin'!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
62
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$2,314
pledged of $1,500 goal
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 29.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A tour poster signed by all of the members. You'll be able to collect your poster (with a hug and a handshake) at our post-tour recap show in March.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A signed copy of our upcoming fantastic new CD Old School. You'll be able to collect your signed copy (with 2 hugs and a handshake) at our post-tour recap show in March.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Free admission to our post-tour show in March, a signed copy of our upcoming CD Old School, and 3 hugs and a handshake.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Your company will travel with us (in name, of course) across the midwest and southern U.S. As a tour sponsor, your company's name, information, and logo will be in print, on the air, and announced at each of our performances throughout the tour.
Project By
Connected as Joshua James (525 friends)
Not your grand parents swing band (aka the Space Age Swing Band). A typical Planet D Nonet gig might involve very early jazz from Louis Armstrong or Mezz Mezzrow, Duke Ellington & Fletcher Henderson swing charts from the '30's, proto-Detroit R&B from Paul "Huckelbuck" Williams, King Porter or Todd Rhodes or space-age jazz from Sun Ra. The PD9 can play a swing dance, a concert performance a small pub or an art gallery. Whatever they do, they always have a Detroit twist & plenty of good humor with an eye toward turning people onto this music. A down & dirty good time band.
