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 level pianist and would like to strengthen your jazz swing rhythms, this workshop is for you! These six lessons will explore a variety of swing rhythms, exercises, and song examples.

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

Using the well-known Christmas song "Deck the Halls", we will explore various techniques and approaches to playing this fun tune so that you'll be a hit this holiday season!

Master the jazz standard Blue Moon at the advanced level. We'll start with the basic lead sheet and learn how to make it our own with some pro-level jazz techniques!

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John Proulx's Quick Tips (Instructor)

Whether you play piano as a hobbyist or a professional, here are ten of the most recognizable and most requested swing songs you should know.

In this lesson on how to compose a melody, John Proulx employs a simple, 10-Step guide to demonstrate the creative process for writing an original song.

Explore "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" with a multi-level lens on jazz piano chords and arranging techniques.

Learn to play a festive and fun bossa nova arrangement of the classic Christmas carol "Angels We Have Heard on High" on piano.

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John Proulx's Smartsheets

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

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

Using the well-known Christmas song "Deck the Halls", we will explore various techniques and approaches to playing this fun tune so that you'll be a hit this holiday season!

In this lesson on how to compose a melody, John Proulx employs a simple, 10-Step guide to demonstrate the creative process for writing an original song.

View All of John Proulx's Smartsheets

John Proulx's Latest Shows
Office Hours (January 14)

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

Office Hours (January 7)

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

Office Hours (December 31)

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

Holiday Student Recital (December 2024)

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!

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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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