Recorded September 2016 at Grand Valley State University, “I Love Being Here with You” with singer Libby York, John Proulx on piano and vocals, Paul Keller on bass, and Pete Siers on drums.
By K.D. Norris
Grammy winning jazz pianist and singer John Proulx — Grand Rapids native recently returned from the La La Land — will soon release his new CD, “Say It”, to his national audience. But he will hold a little concert and release party for his hometown friends and fans at St. Cecilia Music Center this week.
Proulx, along with a trio which includes Paul Keller on bass and Pete Siers on drums, will hit St. Cecilia’s Royce Auditorium stage Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. Tickets are still available.
The St. Cecilia concert is also being called a “Welcome Home” event as Proulx recently returned to Grand Rapids with his wife and family after living in Los Angeles for 16 years, and the musician used to play piano recitals at the venue as a child.
“I am thrilled to be celebrating two life milestones,” Proulx said in supplied material. “ After living in Los Angeles for 16 years, my family and I have recently moved back to Grand Rapids … and we’re grateful to be closer to our family here in West Michigan.”
Talking about his new release, Proulx said: “The new album, produced by Judy Wexler, features a great lineup of musicians including Chuck Berghofer, Joe LaBarbera, Larry Koonse, Bob Shepard, three string quartet arrangements by Alan Broadbent, and a duet with Melissa Manchester. The songs are a mixture of jazz standards, folk tunes, and one original song.”
Proulx began his formal musical education at the age of three in Grand Rapids on Suzuki violin, but quickly switched to classical piano lessons, according to his website. His late grandfather, Clyde Proulx, was a jazz guitarist who introduced him to the world of jazz. After graduating from Catholic Central High School, he studied at Roosevelt University’s Chicago School of Performing Arts, where he received a Bachelors of Music degree in 1999.
One of the reasons for his return to Western Michigan is to continue his education and an pursue a Master’s degree from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
Starting in 2001, Proulx moved to Los Angeles to further his musical pursuits. He emerged as a young talent on the Los Angeles jazz scene, according to his website, and he 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. He has appeared on Michael Feinstein’s radio show on NPR, “Song Travels” as well as on Marian McPartland’s radio show, “Piano Jazz”.
Proulx won a Grammy as a composer when Nancy Wilson recorded “These Golden Years”, a song he co-wrote with lyricist D. Channsin Berry, for her 2006 Grammy-winning CD, “Turned to Blue.” Proulx also co-wrote a song called “Stained Glass” with Melissa Manchester for his new album, “Say It”. Proulx and Manchester also co-wrote a song called “Big Light” for her 20th studio album, “You Gotta Love The Life”, featuring a duet with Manchester and Al Jarreau.
For more information about John Proulx, visit johnproulx.com .
Tickets for the John Proulx CD release concert are $20 and $30, with a copy of Proulx’s new release included with the $30 A section ticket. A post-concert CD signing party will also be included with each ticket. Tickets are now available by calling 616-459-2224 or visiting St. Cecilia Music Center at 24 Ransom NE, Grand Rapids, 49503. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org .
