
John Proulx
Los Angeles, CA
Get access to all of John Proulx's courses, lessons, quick tips and more with a PWJ membership!
14-Day Free Trial
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
John Proulx's Latest Courses
If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to master jazz swing rhythms, this workshop is for you! These six lessons will dig deep into various rhythms exercises in the jazz swing style.
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to master jazz swing rhythms, this workshop is for you! These six lessons will dig deep into various rhythms exercises in the jazz swing style.
Welcome to "S'Wonderful" for the beginning level. This course is divided into 5 lessons culminating in a final arrangement with a backing track.
Welcome to "Sweet Georgia Brown" for the beginning level. This course is divided into 5 lessons culminating in a final arrangement with a backing track.
John Proulx's Quick Tips (Instructor)
Some jazz standards like “On Green Dolphin Street” mix Latin and swing within the same song…Learn how to master these “transition tunes.”
Explore the methods and mindset needed to comp on piano in the swing style with this complete guide to jazz piano comping for all levels.
Discover the essence of Bill Evans' piano sound on Miles' "All Blues"...a must-know jazz waltz for all aspiring jazz musicians.
Level up your jazz harmony in this dedicated lesson on the backdoor 2-5-1 progression exploring aural recognition, chord voicings and improvisation.
John Proulx's Smartsheets
Some jazz standards like “On Green Dolphin Street” mix Latin and swing within the same song…Learn how to master these “transition tunes.”
If you’re an intermediate/advanced pianist and would like to master jazz swing rhythms, this workshop is for you! These six lessons will dig deep into various rhythms exercises in the jazz swing style.
If you’re a beginner pianist and would like to master jazz swing rhythms, this workshop is for you! These six lessons will dig deep into various rhythms exercises in the jazz swing style.
Explore the methods and mindset needed to comp on piano in the swing style with this complete guide to jazz piano comping for all levels.
John Proulx's Latest Shows
Office Hours (July 8)
Office Hours are an opportunity to get interactive feedback from a professional piano coach!
Live Workshop 2 (August 2025)
In this Live Workshop, John will be teaching a live lesson while you ask him questions.
Live Workshop 1 (August 2025)
In this Live Workshop, John will be teaching a live lesson while you ask him questions.
Live Workshop 2 (July 2025)
In this Live Workshop, John will be teaching a live lesson while you ask him questions.
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
View guided learning tracks for all music styles and skill levels
Progress Tracking
Complete lessons and courses as you track your learning progress
Downloadable Resources
Download Sheet Music and Backing Tracks
Community Forums
Engage with other PWJ members in our member-only community forums
Become a better piano player today. Try us out completely free for 14 days!