Jazz Tuesdays with RJ Spangler, TBone Paxton, Matt LoRusso, Jeff Cuny, Jeff Shoup (10/15/19)

Jazz Tuesdays is a weekly event featuring great jazz musicians from all over the state of Michigan, and across the country. Each week brings in a different guest artist and a new experience. Drummer RJ Spangler's impressive career spans more than four decades on the Detroit scene. He earned his first Motor City Music Award in 1982 with the band the Sun Messengers, which RJ co-founded. After 15 years as a Messenger, RJ went on to running the band for Detroit blues guitar master Johnnie Bassett. With Johnnie, RJ made his way coast to coast in both the US and Canada as well as many European tours. Spangler's résumé includes blues and R&B gigs with Eddie Kirkland, The Drifters, Earl King, Wanda Rouzan, James "Thunderbird" Davis, Big Jay McNeely, Larry McCray, Francine Reed, Tad Robinson, Shawn Pittman, Sir Mack Rice/the Falcons with Eddie Floyd, Johnny Adams, Bob Schultz, Eddie Bo, Andre Williams, Nathaniel Mayer, Robert Penn, Eddie & Jimmy Burns, Pinetop Perkins, Ron Levy, Shirley King, James Montgomery, Martha & the Vandellas, Catfish Hodge, Hamonica Shah, Mr. Bo, Willie D. Warren, Michael Ray & the Cosmic Krewe, Thornetta Davis, Jos'lyn B, Geno Parks, the Griswald Brothers as well as jazz gigs with James Carter, Faruq Z. Bey, Bill Heid, Leon Thomas, Marcus Belgrave and Roy Brooks. Today he is a WC Handy nominated drummer, producer of CDs and live events, and a guiding force behind the Planet D Nonet, in addition to leading multiple side projects. RJ can be heard on more than 70 nationally available CDs. John “Tbone” Paxton is a veteran trombonist and vocalist professionally active in Southeastern Michigan for many years. He is the featured singer and trombone soloist with the award-winning Detroit jazz ensemble, the Planet D Nonet. John is a 2nd generation musician and a son of the “Jazz Age.” John was also an integral member of the Sun Messengers band, eventually leaving to develop his own career as a jazz singer and trombonist. He has had long associations with many of the great Detroit area bandleaders like Paul Keller, Eddie Nuccilli, Scott Gwinnell, and piano master Mr. B. Tbone has also played with a number of great blues and R&B men including Earl King, Johnny Adams, Sir Mac Rice, Pinetop Perkins, and even Latin Jazz Great Eddie Palmieri! RJ plays percussion on this performance. Also featured in the band this evening are Matt LoRusso, guitar, Jeff Cuny, bass, and Jazz Tuesdays host Jeff Shoup, drums. Jazz Tuesdays is generously sponsored by Cold Plunge Records.

Added 20 Jul 2026