RJ Spangler
| RJ Spangler | ||
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| Background Information | ||
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Origin |
Detroit | |
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Genre |
Jazz, Blues, Swing | |
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Years Active |
1976 - Present | |
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Label's |
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Instruments |
Drums | |
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Website |
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Associated Acts |
Planet D Nonet, RJ's Kansas City Six, RJ Spangler's Mardi Gras Band, RJ's Soul & Blues Gang, RJ Spangler Trio/Quartet, PD9 Township Jazz Project | |
About
RJ Spangler is a Drummer who has been on the Detroit music scene for over 35 years. He earned his first Motor City Music Award in 1982 with a band he co-founded called the Sun Messengers. He also started playing little gigs around Detroit with Bill Heid back in 1985. They had a regular Sunday gig at the Tap Room on the Eastside with James O'Donnell and Kurt Krahnke.
In 2007 RJ and James O'Donnell founded a down and dirty little swing band called Planet D Nonet. PD9 plays the classic swing music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie and Benny Carter as well as more modern jazz by Sun Ra and Pharoah Saunders all with a Detroit twist. In addition to Planet D Nonet, RJ is in many other groups RJ's Kansas City Six, RJ Spangler's Mardi Gras Band, RJ’s Rhythm Rockers, RJ's Soul & Blues Gang, RJ Spangler Trio. In 1990 he co-founded Eastlawn Records to put out a CD by the Sun Sounds Orchestra, an Afro-jazz outfit he was co-leading then. Over the years they have released many recordings of jazz, blues, soul, and even some rock -- all with a distinctive Detroit flavor.
Discography
Partial List
See Complete list
Albums:
- Swingin' The D Planet D Nonet (2013)
- Blowin' Away The Blues, Volume 2 Planet D Nonet (2011)
- Live at the Scarab Club The PD9 Township Jazz Project (2015)
Singles:
- "Country Girl/Honeydripper" Planet D Nonet (45 RPM) (2009)
- "New Waif Blues/Thimlela" Sun Messengers (45 rpm) (1982)
- "Tiger Dynasty/Going to Tim's" Sun Messengers (45 rpm) (1982)
Other Compilations:
- Sun Messengers X-Mas in Detroit (CD compilation) (1989)
- Planet D Nonet Blowin' Away The Blues (6 song EP disc) (2010) EP, song"Name"
Videos
Additional Reading
Grosse Pointe News
Metro Times
Biography on AllMusic
