Don Was
| Don Was | |
|---|---|
Don Was – Americana Music Association showcase – Nashville, TN (2010)
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Don Fagenson |
| Born | September 13, 1952 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, US |
| Genres | Rock, new wave |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Record Producer, President of Blue Note Records |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, vocals, piano |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Associated acts |
Was (Not Was) |
Was (Not Was)
Orquestra Was
Don Edward Fagenson (born September 13, 1952), known as Don Was, is an American musician, record producer and record executive. Primarily a bass player, Was led the 1980s funk rock band Was (Not Was). In later years he produced songs and albums for a large number of popular recording artists. In 2012, he became president of jazz music label Blue Note Records.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Was graduated from Oak Park High School in the Detroit suburb of Oak Park, then attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor but dropped out after the first year. A journeyman musician, he grew up listening to the Detroit blues sound and the jazz music of John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
Using the stage name "Don Was", he formed the group Was (Not Was) with school friend David Weiss (David Was). The group found commercial success in the 1980s – releasing four albums and logging several hit records. A jazz/R&B album of Hank Williams covers, "Forever's A Long, Long Time" was released in 1997, under the name Orquestra Was. In 2008, Was (Not Was) reunited for an acclaimed new album and tour.
Was has received three Grammy Awards including the 1994 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year. He produced several albums for Bonnie Raitt including her Nick of Time album that won the 1989 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Don also collaborated with co-producer Ziggy Marley, on Family Time, winner of 2009's Best Musical Album For Children.
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