This tribute to the Dead’s iconic album, by world-class musicians from across Detroit’s vibrant music scene, is curated and led by Grammy-winning musician, producer and composer Don Was.Experience the Grateful Dead’s iconic album “Blues for Allah” performed live by Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble on Friday, Feb. 6.
Curated and led by six-time Grammy Award-winning musician, producer and composer Don Was, this powerful tribute brings together world-class musicians from across Detroit’s vibrant music scene to celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary.
The performance is presented by the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Center for the Arts.
The show will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Tickets are $35 and $45. Buy tickets. Discounted tickets are available for UAB students and employees. Call 205-975-2787 or visit the ASC Box Office for more information or to purchase tickets.
Formed by Was, the Pan-Detroit Ensemble unites some of Detroit’s most accomplished jazz players, including longtime collaborator Dave McMurray on saxophone and Eminem’s Oscar-winning collaborator, keyboardist Luis Resto, plus trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canaday, percussionist Mahindi Masai, guitarist Wayne Gerard and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an.
Drawing on the wide-ranging influences of his five-decade career, the ensemble’s new album “Groove in the Face of Adversity” 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, Was and the band will feature music from “Groove in the Face of Adversity” alongside the live rendition of “Blues for Allah” in its entirety, honoring the Dead’s experimental spirit and enduring legacy of the album for its 50th anniversary.
Over the past five decades, 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.