Podcast Summary:

All Of It – Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble 'Groove In The Face of Adversity' (Listening Party)

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Don Was (Blue Note Records President, Producer, Musician)
Date: January 9, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is a listening party and interview with Don Was, legendary musician, Grammy-winning producer, and president of Blue Note Records. Don Was discusses finally releasing his first solo album, Groove in the Face of Adversity, along with members of the Pan Detroit Ensemble—fellow Detroit musicians. Through vibrant conversation and curated musical excerpts, Don and Alison explore the essence of Detroit's musical language, the album's personal and communal inspirations, and the healing power of groove in turbulent times.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Don Was: Why Now for a Solo Album?

• Don Was’s Reluctance Until Now:
  • Despite a decades-long, award-winning career, Don explains this is the first album under his own name.
  • Quote: "I just didn't get around to it. ... I guess I've had the confidence or the ... fearlessness, maybe, to just put my name on something and be myself." (03:03)
• Embracing Individuality:
  • Don shares he long advised other artists to pursue their distinctiveness; with this project, he finally applies that lesson to himself.
  • Quote: "All the great music comes from people who change the pace of everything by being who they were." (03:22)

2. The Pan Detroit Ensemble: Sharing Detroit’s Musical Code

• Homegrown Chemistry:
  • The ensemble is comprised of Detroit musicians, sharing roots in the city's rich, diverse musical tradition.
  • Detroit’s “raw, honest, unpretentious sound” unites genres—rock, R&B, jazz—and generations.
  • Quote:
    "We speak this common musical language of Detroit ... a great groove that characterizes Detroit music. So we're just trying to promulgate the indigenous sounds of our hometown." (04:23)
• Icons and Influence:
  • Calls out icons shaping Detroit’s musical identity: John Lee Hooker, Motown artists, MC5, White Stripes, J Dilla, Donald Byrd, and more.

3. Musical Upbringing: Detroit’s Scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s

• Legendary Local Spots:
  • Remembers Detroit’s underground stations (ABX, WDET) and revered venues (Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the Grande Ballroom).
  • Quote:
    "I remember going to a Sunday matinee ... seeing Martha and the Vandellas and the Temptations and Marvin Gaye playing for about 200 people. It's pretty wild." (06:08)

4. Listening Party: “Groove in the Face of Adversity”

• “Midnight Marauders” (02:06)
  • Album’s opening track, previewed at episode’s start.
• “Nubian Lady” (06:39)
  • Penned by jazz legend Kenny Barron, first recorded with Yusef Lateef.
  • Features flutist Dave McMurray, a decades-long friend and collaborator.
  • Quote:
    "He's a master musician." (08:02)
• “This Is My Country”—Curtis Mayfield Cover (12:14)
  • Don calls Mayfield’s lyrics “as relevant today, if not more relevant, than it was back then.” (11:13)
  • “If they're frustrated and stressed out in these times, they're not alone ... there's a commonality among all people.” (11:34)

5. Album Title & Guiding Philosophy

• Backstory:
  • At age 14, Don heard a Joe Henderson jazz record on the radio while sulking in his mom’s car; the music matched his feelings, but then a groove “changed 180 degrees” his mood and outlook.
  • Quote:
    "I thought that Joe Henderson was speaking to me and saying, Don, you got to do like I'm doing and groove in the face of adversity." (09:16)
  • That concept has remained a life mantra, illustrating music’s power to transform and soothe.
  • Quote:
    "Ultimately, that's what I wanted to do with my life, is be involved in making that kind of music for people, to bring them some comfort and understanding in times of chaos and confusion." (10:29)

6. Live Show at the Blue Note & Community

• Upcoming Performance:
  • Don Was and the Pan Detroit Ensemble play the Blue Note on January 12; full album performed over two sets.
  • Honoring the Grateful Dead’s Blues for Allah 50th anniversary: “... over the two sets, we'll play that whole album as well.” (13:00)
• Surprise Guests Possible:
  • Don teases “we're talking to a few folks” about guest appearances. (13:24)
• Blue Note as Home:
  • For Don, the venue represents a special homecoming, now as a performer instead of just an executive or audience member.
  • Quote:
    "It's a special place and it means a lot to folks and it means a lot to me to actually be on the stage instead of in the audience." (13:34)

Notable Quotes

• On Artistic Individuality:
  • "The thing that makes you different ... is your superpower." (03:10)
• On Detroit’s Musical Identity:
  • "There's a sound ... very raw, honest, unpretentious. To me, it's best exemplified by John Lee Hooker ... he never stopped grooving." (04:04)
• On the Power of Groove:
  • "Grooving in the face of adversity—it's applicable to so many things in life." (10:17)

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• [03:03] Don Was explains the mindset shift that led him to finally release music under his own name.
• [05:14] Don reminisces about Detroit’s influential musical venues and radio stations.
• [06:39] Introduction to “Nubian Lady” and Dave McMurray’s contribution.
• [09:16] The powerful story behind “Groove in the Face of Adversity.”
• [11:13] Conversation about covering Curtis Mayfield’s “This Is My Country.”
• [13:00] Discussion of the Blue Note performance schedule and the Grateful Dead tribute.
• [13:34] Don reflects on what playing at Blue Note means to him.

Musical Excerpts Featured

• [02:06] "Midnight Marauders" (Don Was & Pan Detroit Ensemble)
• [07:00] "Nubian Lady" (Kenny Barron, feat. Dave McMurray)
• [12:14] "This Is My Country" (Curtis Mayfield cover)
• [14:26] "Insane" (By Cameo, covered by Pan Detroit Ensemble)

Conclusion

This rich, engaging episode gives listeners insight into Don Was's creative process, Detroit's enduring musical legacy, and the restorative power of groove and community in times of struggle. With anecdotes, deep musical appreciation, and thoughtful philosophy, Don invites us not just to listen, but to feel the pulse of Detroit and the meaning of "groove in the face of adversity."