Don Was

Don Was is a founding member of Was (Not Was), which he formed with childhood friend David Was (Weiss) in suburban Detroit. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, that band released four studio albums that blended soul, funk, R&B, rock and dance music with satiric and unusual lyrics. Their 1988 album, What Up, Dog?, spawned the U.S. and UK hit singles “Spy In The House Of Love” and “Walk The Dinosaur.” As the President of Blue Note Records since 2011, Was is both the company’s leader and an ambassador for its music. Was has been honored with numerous Grammy Awards for his production work: In 1989 for Bonnie Raitt’s classic Nick Of Time, in 1994 as Producer Of The Year, in 2009 for Ziggy Marley’s Family Time, in 2018 for The Rolling Stones’ Blue & Lonesome, and in 2019 for Intocable’s percepción. He was awarded his first Emmy in 2014 as musical director for The Beatles: The Night That Changed America, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the group’s first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Don was awarded a BAFTA (British Academy Film Awards) in 1995 for Best Film Music for his work on Backbeat, and also composed its acclaimed score. That same year, Was directed the documentary film, I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times, which focused on the brilliant gifts of Brian Wilson. He has recently toured throughout the U.S. as bassist in trio Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, and served as musical director and bassist for a host of major tribute concerts.