John Proulx is a singer, pianist, composer, and educator. In addition to touring with his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O'Day, Natalie Cole, and Melissa Manchester. His four albums have garnered national and international acclaim.

As a composer. John has written songs for many notable vocalists. Jazz legend, Nancy Wilson, recorded "These Golden Years", a song that John co-wrote with lyricist D. Channsin Berry, for her 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 three 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 received 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 received his Master’s degree in jazz vocal performance from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now serves as adjunct faculty at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Long Beach. He is also gives online jazz voice and piano lessons at jazzvoice.com.

About John Proulx

Education

Bachelor of Music - Roosevelt University
Master in Jazz Vocal Performance - Western Michigan University


Favorite piano styles
  • Swing
  • Jazz Ballads
  • Contemporary
John Proulx's Latest Courses

If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to learn more about jazz ballad rhythms, this workshop is for you! These six lessons will explore a variety of ballad rhythms, exercises, and song examples.

If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to learn more about jazz ballad rhythms, this workshop is for you! These six lessons will explore a variety of ballad rhythms, exercises, and song examples.

Welcome to "Makin' Whoopee" for the beginning level. This course is divided into 5 lessons culminating in a final arrangement with a backing track.

Welcome to "Mack the Knife" for the beginning level. This course is divided into 5 lessons culminating in a final arrangement with a backing track.

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John Proulx's Quick Tips (Instructor)

Learn to play the chord changes of a "Bird Blues"…Charlie Parker's brilliant reharmonization of the 12-bar blues form in "Blues for Alice."

Solo like a pro over B.B. King's signature song. Master “The Thrill Is Gone” chords, voicings, bass line and more for this iconic blues tune.

Bring the festive sounds New Orleans with you wherever you go after diving into this lesson on how to play piano like Harry Connick, Jr.!

Learn essential skills for how to play Caribbean-influenced calypso jazz piano like Monty Alexander, including an original piano arrangement.

View All of John Proulx's Quick Tips (Instructor)

John Proulx's Smartsheets

Solo like a pro over B.B. King's signature song. Master “The Thrill Is Gone” chords, voicings, bass line and more for this iconic blues tune.

Bring the festive sounds New Orleans with you wherever you go after diving into this lesson on how to play piano like Harry Connick, Jr.!

Welcome to "Makin' Whoopee" for the beginning level. This course is divided into 5 lessons culminating in a final arrangement with a backing track.

Welcome to "Mack the Knife" for the beginning level. This course is divided into 5 lessons culminating in a final arrangement with a backing track.

View All of John Proulx's Smartsheets

John Proulx's Latest Shows
Student Recital (June 2025)

Recitals are an opportunity to showcase a final performance of what you’ve been working on in front of a live audience - your fellow PWJ students!

Office Hours (May 6)

Office Hours are an opportunity to get interactive feedback from a professional piano coach!

Office Hours (April 29)

Office Hours are an opportunity to get interactive feedback from a professional piano coach!

Office Hours (April 22)

Office Hours are an opportunity to get interactive feedback from a professional piano coach!

Learn from John Proulx

Get access to all of Jonny May's courses, lessons, quick tips and more with a PWJ membership!


Guided Learning Tracks

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Progress Tracking

Complete lessons and courses as you track your learning progress

Downloadable Resources

Download Sheet Music and Backing Tracks

Community Forums

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