Lifelong buddy’s RJ Spangler & Tbone Paxton started working together in 1980 with a very popular band around Detroit called the Sun Messengers. They toured the east coast, Midwest and deep south for a number of years. Back then Tbone was awarded a Motor City Music Award for best trombonist. Since then, he has also become quite an engaging vocalist. In fact, he has been nominated the last three years as best jazz vocalist at the Detroit Music Awards.
The two are cornerstone members of the Planet D Nonet, and as such, have toured to 11 states, released as many CDs and garnered 7 Detroit Music Awards. Now they have offer this stripped-down project – just four musicians, with a new CD about to drop next month nationally!
Tbone and RJ have performed in New Orleans and backed singers from there on their tours up north like Johnny Adams, Earl King & Edde Bo for many years, so the music of NOLA is always prominent in their performances; from trad-jazz to R&B. The Great American Songbook: Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington & the Harlem Jive of Fats Waller as well as the proto jump/swing of Louis Jordan are also a big part of each performance. Add some gut-bucket trombone & RJ’s experience with blues, swing and world jazz on drums and you have an idea what to expect at their shows.
Matt LoRusso on guitar & Jeff Cuny on string bass