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DETROIT -- The Detroit Blues Society, in association with the Scarab Club relaunched the Detroit Blues Heritage Series on April 11, which 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. Spangler has chosen to start the series with a special focus on blues piano.

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

Today were the top younger pianists on the Detroit scene: Chris Codish (The Brothers Groove), Shawn McDonald & Duncan McMillan. These cats are busy every week, playing somewhere around the city or on the road, around the globe (Chris returned from Jakarta earlier this month). Johnnie Bassett has used all three of these wonderful players over the years, and was a great special guest for this very special show.

The Scarab Club is a Detroit historic / landmark building and is located at 217 Farnsworth Detroit, MI 48202.

Each pianist had 20-25 minutes with the house rhythm section (Kurt Krahnke & RJ Spangler). There was a finale with all three pianists.

 

PHOTO BY MICHELE KOTLARSKY / ©AMERICAJR.com

Red Keyboardist Duncan McMillan also played a hand-held harmonica.

 

PHOTO BY MICHELE KOTLARSKY / ©AMERICAJR.com

Red Keyboardist Chris Codish and Guitarist Johnny Bassett.

 

PHOTO BY MICHELE KOTLARSKY / ©AMERICAJR.com

Guitarist Johnny Bassett

 

PHOTO BY MICHELE KOTLARSKY / ©AMERICAJR.com

Yamaha Keyboardist Shawn McDonald.

 

PHOTO BY MICHELE KOTLARSKY / ©AMERICAJR.com

From left to right: Chris Codish of the Brothers Grove, Drummer RJ Spangler, Guitarist Johnny Bassett, Bass Player Kurt Krahnke, Yamaha Keyboardist Shawn McDonald and Smaller Keyboardist Duncan McMillan.