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The jazz scene is abuzz about singer, pianist, composer, and recording artist, John Proulx (pronounced "Proo"). His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. John’s latest CD, “Say It”, is due out on March 14th, 2018 on the ArtistShare label. It features Chuck Berghofer, Joe LaBarbera, Larry Koonse, Bob Sheppard, a duet with Melissa Manchester, and three string quartet arrangements by Alan Broadbent. John’s previous three albums on MAXJAZZ, “The Best Thing For You”, "Baker’s Dozen-Remembering Chet Baker”, and “Moon and Sand”, have garnered national and international acclaim, and John’s fan base is quickly growing. In addition to touring with his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O'Day, Natalie Cole, Melissa Manchester, and Marian McPartland.
John is also a Grammy-winning composer. Jazz legend, Nancy Wilson, recorded "These Golden Years", a song that John co-wrote with lyricist D. Channsin Berry, for her 2006 Grammy-winning CD, “Turned to Blue”. Most recently, John co-wrote a song called “Stained Glass” with Melissa Manchester for his new album, “Say It”. John and Melissa also co-wrote a song called “Big Light” for her 20th studio album, “You Gotta Love The Life”, featuring a duet with Melissa and Al Jarreau. Jazz singer, Mary Stallings, recorded "Stuck in a Dream" (2005, “Remember Love”), and “Before You Know It” (2010, “Dream”), two songs John co-wrote with lyricist K. Lawrence Dunham. Deana Martin also recorded “Stuck in a Dream” on her latest album, “Destination Moon”.
John began his formal musical education at the age of 3 in Grand Rapids, MI on Suzuki violin, but quickly switched to classical piano lessons. His late grandfather, Clyde Proulx, was a jazz guitarist who introduced him to the world of jazz. Hooked on the freedom of improvisation, his education took him to Chicago to study at Roosevelt University’s Chicago School of Performing Arts where he recibved his Bachelors of Music in 1999. In 2001, John moved to Los Angeles to further his musical pursuits. He emerged as a young talent on the Los Angeles jazz scene and loved the wide-range of opportunities the city had to offer. John also spent four months in 2009 at the prestigious Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency hotel in New York City playing a nightly solo piano/vocal engagement. Since then, John has appeared on Michael Feinstein’s radio show on NPR, “Song Travels” as well as on Marian McPartland’s radio show, “Piano Jazz”. John recently moved back to Grand Rapids, Michigan to pursue a Master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
