Few in music are as successfully eclectic as Don Was, a bassist, producer, bandleader and record label president. Reaching back decades as co-leader of the dance-pop-rock group Was (Not Was) and up to his current position as the head of the most prestigious of jazz labels, Blue Note Records, Was has continued to thrive, bringing exciting new sounds to the music world. Saxophonist Dave McMurray is shown live in concert in October with Don Was' Pan-Detroit Ensemble at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Potter) Was reaches back to his first love, jazz, for his latest project, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. The group’s album, “Groove in the Face of Adversity,” is a nonstop celebration of the energy that continues to emanate from the Motor City. “I kind of trace it back to (bluesman) John Lee Hooker,” Was told me of the ‘Detroit Sound.’ “Because he’s raw, as raw as you can get without the music falling apart. He’s also soulful and grooves like crazy. And I think that’s the core of all Detroit music. Whether it’s (drummer) Elvin Jones or The MC5, The Stooges or J Dilla, it stems from Detroit being a one-industry town. Everybody’s in the same boat and knows it, and there’s no point in putting on airs or being pretentious. That’s reflected in the music, which is honest and straightforward.” “Honest and straightforward” is an appropriate way to sum up what you’ll hear on  “Groove in the Face of Adversity.” It’s upbeat jazz served up with funk and an overall party vibe. And Was is bringing that party to Colorado at Denver’s Newman Center on Jan. 29 and the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen on Jan. 30. While Was represents the music of Detroit, he has a deep appreciation for Denver’s music scene, too. He says his 2021 Red Rocks performance as the bassist for Grateful Dead member Bob Weir moved him to tears, and he was instrumental in signing Denver cornetist Ron Miles to Blue Note shortly before Miles’ 2022 passing. “I really loved Ron. I was aware of his playing but didn’t really get to know him until Bill Frisell introduced us before we released the ‘Rainbow Sign’ album. When you heard him play, you could tell he was a sweet, beautiful cat. He was a lovely human being and such a talented musician.” "Groove in the Face of Adversity" is the debut album of Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. (Album photo courtesy of Mack Avenue Records) The Pan-Detroit Ensemble is a relatively large band. I wondered about the challenges of touring, economic and otherwise, with a group of that size. Related Articles Things to do around Denver: A jazzy Nutcracker, ‘Simpsons’ legend in Aspen and more The 10 best jazz albums of 2025 When is a ribbon cutting so much more than opening a modern wing on a historic building? (Opinion) 4 classic Christmas shows to see in Denver, from ‘Nutcracker’ to ‘Jingle Bell Swing’ 33 pop-up bars where you can find holiday cheer in Denver and beyond “It’s not normally done by people in their seventies,” Was said with a laugh. (He’s 73.) “Thank God for The Rolling Stones!” (Was has had a hand in producing nearly all of the group’s studio albums since the 1990s.) “I’m able to pay for a bus! I’m grateful to those guys every night we’re on tour.” (Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble play DU’s Newman Center on Jan. 29. Tickets range from $30 to $80. Information at newmancenterpresents.com. The group also plays at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen on Jan. 30. Tickets begin at $40 and can be purchased at wheeleroperahouse.com.) And more jazz this month: Pianist Eric Gunnison holds down Friday nights in January at Denver’s Nocturne. … At Dazzle, guitarist Stanley Jordan appears Jan. 9-10 and violinist Jenny Scheinman’s All Species Parade takes to the stage Jan. 20. … Make plans for the Denver Jazz Fest, featuring Branford Marsalis, Bob James, Carmen Lundy and more April 7-12. Learn more at denverjazz.org. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox. ...read more read less