By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Drummer RJ Spangler says he and musical running mate Tbone Paxton share “a nutty 1960s aesthetic.”
They have wide-ranging tastes in music, and the bands they lead show that.
These projects range from the earliest sounds of jazz to the outer space sounds of the Sun Ra Arkestra, and lots in between.
“It’s all here for me to enjoy,” Spangler said, and he’s intent on sharing it with listeners.
On Saturday night (April 8) from 7-10 p.m., The Paxton-Spangler Septet will perform a tribute to the jazz of South Africa. These are joyous sounds originally performed by Abdullah Ibrahim, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela.
It’s a cultural expression of oppressed people rooted in hymnal harmonies and sing-song folk melodies with undertones of American bebop and swing.
Spangler said his and Paxton’s love of the music dates back about 30 years when they were part of the Sun Messengers.
They’ve been playing these tunes ever since and have recorded several albums, most recently “Ugqozi.” Those albums, Spangler said, have garnered good reviews, including from South Africa. “People have been very encouraging to keep this up.”
Paxton’s trombone and Spangler’s drums will be joined by the same band featured on the album – Dan Bennett, tenor saxophone, Kasan Belgrave, alto saxophone and flute, John Doulas, trumpet, Phillip Hale, piano – with the exception of Trevor Lamb on bass.
The band has deep roots in the vibrant Detroit Jazz scene.
Belgrave, for example, is the son of trumpet legend Marcus Belgrave.
Spangler said he was able to work a few gigs with the elder Belgrave. That’s just part of his history on the scene.
Spangler, 66, grew up in Grosse Pointe, between the waters of Lake St. Clair and the City of Detroit. His father also was a jazz fan. “It was around the house.”
His uncle Bud Spangler was a drummer, broadcaster, concert producer and engineer. He was a member of the collective Tribe which included Detroit stalwarts Marcus Belgrave and reed master Wendell Harrison.
In high school, Spangler said, “I was in Detroit all the time meeting and jamming with kids.”
Weeks after he graduated from high school he moved to the city. He bypassed college – jazz studies was in its infancy. He did take lessons from master drummer Roy Brooks.
Over the years, he’s played with notable blues and rhythm and blues acts.
He recalls that “by the time I was 20, I was wildly into music. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life,” but he was passionate about music.
“All these years later, I’m a musician.”
