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"Proulx is front and center, overflowing with fresh zeal and sparkling energy."
--Christopher Loudon (Jazz Times, Dec. 2006 issue)
“You can tell immediately that John’s approach to jazz is both new and refreshing; I’ll bet that Chet Baker is looking down on John saying, ‘Yeah, John, go for it’.”
-- William Claxton (Jazz photographer)
“This introduction to young,
talented John Proulx does a
great job of showing us what
he is about: Strong musicianship, great intonation, mellow swing
and a soothing, almost vibrato-
less Chet Baker like tone quality. Bravo, John!”
--John Clayton
(3-time
grammy nominated bassist, composer, and conductor)
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John Proulx is a sought-after pianist, vocalist, recording artist, and Grammy-winning composer in the Los Angeles area. Hailed as not only a first-rate pianist, but one who also sings like a young Chet Baker, John Proulx can be seen performing at top LA venues including Spazio, Vibrato, and Charlie O's. John's debut CD, with legendary musicians Chuck Berghofer and Joe LaBarbera, was recently released on the Max Jazz label on August 1st, 2006. He has performed with many others including Anita O'Day, Mark Murphy, and Marian McPartland. John currently plays in the Mike Barone, Randy Aldcroft, and Kim Richmond big bands, and loves interacting with the pool of great jazz musicians in Los Angeles. Jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe summarizes John's playing as showing, "great harmony, style and authenticity."
John is also quickly establishing himself not only as a performer but also as a prolific composer. Nancy Wilson recently recorded, "These Golden Years", a song co-written with lyricist D. Channsin Berry, on her latest CD, Turned To Blue, on the MCG label. She just received a Grammy for "Best Jazz Vocal Album" at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The song features Llew Matthews on piano, John Clayton on bass, Roy McCurdy on drums, and features Tom Scott on sax. John also wrote a song called, Stuck In a Dream, co-written with lyricist K. Lawrence Dunham, on a 2005 Half Note album entitled, Remember Love. John Proulx’s own debut album, produced by Tamir Hendelman, features another original tune entitled, My Love For You. John&’s compositions range in style from gospel and R & B, to classic jazz ballads and straight-ahead jazz.
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 grandfather 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. He studied with Eddie Baker and Frank Carruso on piano and Jennifer Shelton-Barnes on voice. After graduation, John became adjunct faculty in jazz vocal instruction at Roosevelt University as well as the Assistant Director of Roosevelt’s vocal jazz group, Rush Hour, with Jennifer Barnes. He quickly become well-known in the Chicago jazz scene, playing at many of the local jazz clubs, including the Jazz Showcase.
In 2001, John moved to Los Angeles to further his musical pursuits. He has emerged as a young talent on the Los Angeles jazz scene and loves the wide-range of opportunities that Los Angeles has to offer.
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