John Proulx - Biography

"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; showing great respect for both the melody and the lyric — a rare thing among jazz vocalists. 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)

The jazz scene is abuzz about singer/pianist/composer John Proulx (pronounced "Prue"). His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. John's debut CD, "Moon and Sand", on the Maxjazz label, was released on August 1st, 2006. It features legendary musicians Chuck Berghofer and Joe LaBarbera, and was produced by Tamir Hendelman. The CD has garnered national and international acclaim, and his fan base is quickly growing. In addition to his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O'Day, Natalie Cole, 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. Jazz singer, Mary Stallings, also recorded "Stuck in a Dream", a tune John co-wrote with lyricist K. Lawrence Dunham, on her 2005 release, Remember Love.

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, 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. 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 the city has to offer.

John is currently working on his second CD, a tribute to Chet Baker, featuring Chuck Berghofer, Joe LaBarbera, and trumpeter Dominick Farinacci. It's due to be released in July of 2009 on Maxjazz.

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