Detroit Blues Heritage Series @ the Scarab Club

[RJ_Spangler]

This is coming up on Saturday so I thought I'd re-post on the 'new' forum:

Detroit Blues Heritage Series @ the Scarab Club
April 11, 2009 @ 2 pm

The Detroit Blues Piano Legacy: Chris Codish, Shawn McDonald & Duncan McMillan wsg Johnnie Bassett, master of the blues guitar.

The Detroit Blues Society, in association with the Scarab Club are re-launching the Detroit Blues Heritage Series that was founded by past DBS president Ed Schenk back in the 90's. Presently curating the series is RJ Spangler, a DBS lifetime achievement award winner and WC Handy award nominated drummer. RJ has chosen to start the series with a special focus on blues piano.

Past piano greats that have been featured include Joe Weaver, Joe Hunter, Ron Levy, Bill Heid, Bob Seely, Mr. B, Bill Heid, Uncle Jesse White, Kenny Cox, Kerry Price, Rudy Robinson, Al Hill, Mike Montgomery, Pam Wise, Eileen Orr, Alma Smith & Harold McKinney!

This year we look to the top younger pianists on the Detroit scene today: Chris Codish, Shawn McDonald & Duncan McMillan. These fellows are busy every week, playing somewhere around the city or on the road, around the globe [[Chris returned from Jakarta on Monday). Detailed bios are below. Johnnie Bassett, whom has used all three of these wonderful players over the years, seemed like a great special guest for this very special show.

TheScarab Club is a private Detroit arts society located in a historic / landmark building and is located at 217 Farnsworth Detroit, MI 48202.
The show goes from 2 pm to 4:30 pm with each pianist getting 20-25 minutes with the house rhythm section [[Kurt Krahnke & RJ Spangler). We will have a finale with all three pianists playing together.


Bios:

Chris Codish

Chris started piano at the age of five. He studied at WSU with Detroit legends Matt Michaels [[arranger for Barbra Striesand) and Rob Pipho. In 1994 he took over jazz-organist Bill Heid's spot in Johnnie Bassett and the Blues Insurgents. He toured Europe with Johnnie four times, recorded five CDs, served as unofficial musical director and, with his father Bob Codish, contributed over 15 songs to Johnnie's repertoire. Chris recently was involved with producing Johnnie's latest CD for the Top Dog label. Chris has also toured internationally with Larry McCray, Hiram Bullock, Harvey Mason and Lucky Peterson.

Chris has played on major label releases for Sponge [['Wax Ecstatic') and Thornetta Davis [['Sunday Morning Music'), and has performed or recorded with: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Robert Bradley's Black Water Surprise, The Howling Diablos, Jill Jack, Susan Calloway, The Chisel Bros, Perry Hughes, The Reefermen, Black Beauty [[featured on a BBC TV program), W.C. Handy Award winner Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones, Wendell Harrison, Dr. Prof. Leonard King [[Oopapada), Dee Dee McNeil, Shahida Nurullah, International dance music producer Scott Grooves, and others too numerous to mention.

In 1997 Chris won a Detroit Music Award for "Blues Performer or Group Deserving Wider Recognition". In 1999 he won "Outstanding Blues Instrumentalist" and "Outstanding R&B/Urban/Funk Instrumentalist." In March of 2000, Real Detroit Weekly readers voted him "Best Keyboardist" in their annual "Best of Detroit" issue. In April of 2000 he won another Detroit Music Award for "Outstanding Blues songwriter". In March of 2001 Chris was nominated for four more Detroit Music Awards including "Outstanding Blues writer", "Outstanding Jazz writer", "Outstanding Blues Insturementalist", and "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist". He won "Outstanding Jazz Vocalist" and "Outstanding Blues Writer."

His keyboard playing mixes up traditional jazz organ and piano, with a heavy dose of funk attitude, a deep understanding of the blues, and his own understated personal humor. His voice has been described as a mix of Mose Allison, Dr. John, Leon Russell, Harry Connick Jr. and Frank Zappa.

Shawn McDonald

Shawn started studying piano at a very young age from his grandmother. He is a talented player who has worked often with Larry McCray, doing several tours in the Caribbean. He has also toured to Europe with Thornetta Davis, Johnnie Bassett & the late great Joe Weaver. Others credits include gigs with the Motor City R&B Pioneers, Nathaniel Mayer, Mud Puppy and Pazman's Super Sessions. He is an excellent blues and boogie pianist and also swings hard on the big Hammond B-3. He sings jazz standards and belts out low-down blues. His talents can be heard on RJ's Rhythm Rockers "Live At The Menu" CD. Shawn has also toured extensively with Alberta Adams and is on her CD "Detroit is My Home."

Duncan McMillan

Duncan began studying piano at age 5. From 1989 - 1992, Duncan studied jazz piano and music theory with James Hohmeyer, Bess Bonnier and Matt Michaels.

Upon graduation from Western Michigan University [[B.M. piano/jazz studies), Duncan has established a reputation as a versatile musician, working as a sideman with such artists as Jon Hendricks, Aretha Franklin, Rodney Whitaker, Ira Sullivan, and Marcus Belgrave. He is in demand as both a pianist and organist, currently working with Johnnie Bassett & the Blues Insurgents and The Paul Keller Orchestra. He spent many years as musical director for the late Odessa Harris, where he really absorbed a lot of blues information that is heard in his playing today.

As a result of his diverse background in music, Duncan is a respected musical director/arranger, working as a consultant for regional theaters, church organizations and local bands. In addition to an active performance schedule, Mr. McMillan works as an independent music instructor teaching piano, improvisation and composition.


http://www.scarabclub.org/
http://www.detroitbluessociety.org/DBS_Home.html
http://www.geocities.com/woodsmanq/

[Bobl]

Great players at a great venue! No "hip test" at the door. We'll try to make it.
Is there a cover or donation required?

[RJ_Spangler]

We wanted to go back to donations but it gonna be $5 at the door. See you on Saturday I hope!

[Kathleen]

It was an energizing well-attended bluesfest at the Scarab Club this afternoon!!! Duncan, Shawn, and Chris were were awesome. And the backup musicians weren't too shabby either! Way to go, RJ!!

[det313grrl]

RJ, really enjoyed myself at the show yesterday. Hadn't seen Johnny or Chris play in a long time. Truly was a groovy happening on a Saturday afternoon. Always a pleasure to see you, keep posting dude!

[RJ_Spangler]

Kathleen & Sharon -- so good to see you both! Vic & Bobl, we missed you guys.

Look for more DBS/Scarab Club shows in the Fall of 09!

[Bobl]

Been missing out on a lot of things lately. Gotta find a job!
Peace

[Vic_doucette]

Kathleen & Sharon -- so good to see you both! Vic & Bobl, we missed you guys.

Unexpected out-of-town company. I hope to make the next one.

[RJ_Spangler]

Bobl -- job is #1 priority, I understand. Vic, heard you & the wife came by my gig at the Grapevine on Saturday but left before I got there.

I will be at the Blue Goose this Sunday @ 4 pm with the Planet D Nonet. Maybe I'll post something on here...