For those unaware, the Planet D Nonet is a down and dirty little swing band from Detroit which was founded by drummer RJ Spangler and trumpeter James O’Donnell.

The Planet D Nonet is about swing, blues, space-age jazz and classic American songs all served with plenty of good humor with an eye toward turning people onto this kind of music.

Planet Detroit Nonet’s last recording, “Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington,” ELD-40, which came out in 2023 did very well for the band. The recording reached #16 on the JazzWeek chart and so they have just released their brilliant follow-up this past July 18th, 2024, entitled Echoes of Harlem: A Salute to Duke Ellington Vol.2.

1. Happy Anatomy
2. Flirtibird
3. Rocks in My Bed
4. Echoes of Harlem aka Cootie’s Concerto
5. Addi
6. Blood Count
7. Juniflip
8. Azalea
9. La Belle Plus Africaine
10. Caravan
11. Frustration
12. I’m Gonna Go Fishin’ aka Main Title of Anatomy of a Murder
13. Happy Reunion
14. The Shepherd (Who Watches Over the Night Flock)
15. Sophisticated Lady

This wonderful recording opens on the upbeat and joyful Happy Anatomy and the sultry and erstwhile Flirtibird, and they are followed by the languishing Rocks in My Bed, the playfully flirtatious Echoes of Harlem aka Cootie’s Concerto, the rhythmic Addi, and then come both the embracing Blood Count and the forthright Juniflip.

Along next is the sumptuous Azalea and the studious La Belle Plus Africaine, and they are in turn backed by the free-flowing Caravan, the triumphant Frustration, the low slung, at first, latterly perky and strident I’m Gonna Go Fishin’ aka Main Title of Anatomy of a Murder, the collection rounding out on the dulcet tones of Happy Reunion, the intricate piano work of The Shepherd (Who Watches Over the Night Flock), closing on the flourishing Sophisticated Lady.

Planet D Nonet:
James O’Donnell trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals & maracas, co-leader
Charlie Miller, trumpet, flugelhorn
John “Tbone” Paxton, trombone, vocals
Alex Colista, alto sax, clarinet
Christopher Tabaczynski, tenor sax & clarinet
Goode Wyche III, bari, alto saxes
Michael Zaporski, piano
Trevor Lamb, string bass (except 1 & 3)
Sean Perlmutter, drum set, cowbell
RJ Spangler, congas, small percussion instruments, bandleader

Special guests:
Camille Price, vocal
Kurt Krahnke string bass tracks 1 & 3

Official Purchase Link