Turn it Down: Planet D Nonet at UrbanBeat

Saturday, Nov. 9 @ 1213 Turner St., Lansing.  18+, $15, $10 adv., 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. 

Specializing in swing, jump and hot jazz, Planet D Nonet (PD9) is Detroit’s own down-and-dirty little big band, known nationally for breathing new life into some of the best in early jazz traditions and musical influences of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s.

Entertainment writer Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press called Planet D Nonet “one of Detroit’s great party bands,” with a “sweeping field of vision.” Catch that throwback vision Saturday, when the PD9 plays UrbanBeat in Old Town. A cash bar and food will be available.   

Since 2007, the band’s slick vintage style has paid tribute to the groundbreaking days of Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller and Louis Jordan. Aside from also playing plenty of New Orleans classics, past Planet D Nonet shows have delved back to Duke Ellington’s time at the Cotton Club in New York and the proto-R&B sounds of Buddy & Ella Johnson. 

PD9 cofounder and bandleader RJ Spangler, who started the nine-piece ensemble with longtime musical partner James O’Donnell (trumpet), released the group’s latest album back in March, “Kings of Kansas City Swing: Bennie Moten & Count Basie on Eastlawn Records.” The 10-track disc is available on the PD9’s Bandcamp page and includes spirited takes of “Kater Street Rag,” “Good Morning Blues” and “Lotus Blossom (Sweet Marijuana).”

To sample some PD9 tunes, visit planetdnonet.bandcamp.com. Tickets to the show are available at urbanbeatevents.com.