Co-leading Detroit's little big band the Planet D Nonet since 2007 has kept James O’Donnell in the limelight of the music scene in Detroit. The band has garnered seven Motor City Music Awards for Outstanding Jazz Recording or Outstanding Traditional Jazz Ensemble. The band’s “Salute to Strayhorn”, a tribute to Duke Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn released on Detroit Music Factory, was considered for a Grammy Award in 2017 and received airplay throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. James has toured through 13 states in the Midwest and the deep South with PD9.

Rooted in the elegance and swing of The Great American Songbook, Elijah weaves timeless standards with inspired originals, carried by the rich textures of jazz, blues, and vintage R&B. Anchored by Elijah Rock’s commanding baritone, each entertaining moment unfolds with the kind of classic showmanship that doesn’t just recall another era—it brings it vividly back to life
Critic Scott Yanow affirms:
“It takes a certain kind of artist these days to carry on the torch passed on from the likes of Nat ‘King’ Cole, Freddie Cole, Billy Eckstine, and Joe Williams.”