Singer, pianist, Grammy award winning composer, and recording artist, John Proulx leads a talented trio to perform jazz standards, and classics from the Great American Songbook, accompanied by bassist, Ken Wild, and drummer Dean Koba. John Proulx plays a hot, swinging style of piano, and sings with a smooth, mellow sound, reminiscent of a young Chet Baker. John has 4 recordings as a leader from which he has garnered national and international acclaim.
Proulx has toured with vocalists Anita O’Day, Natalie Cole, Melissa Manchester, and pianist Marian McPartland. John received a Grammy award for co-writing “These Golden Years” for Jazz legend Nancy Wilson, and co- wrote for each others’ albums with vocalist Melissa Manchester who performed a duet with vocalist Al Jarreau. Jazz vocalist, Mary Stallings and vocalist Deana Martin have also recorded John Proulx’s songs.
John Proulx began playing the violin at the age of 3, and quickly switched to classical piano. Grandfather Clyde Proulx, a jazz guitarist, introduced John to jazz and he has enjoyed playing improvisational music ever since. Proulx received his music degree from Roosevelt University’s Chicago School of Performing Arts, has performed around the L.A. Jazz scene for several years, appeared at Feinstein’s Supper Club in NYC, and appeared on both Michael Feinstein’s and Marian McPartland’s NPR radio shows. John is in pursuit of his Master’s degree at Western Michigan University.
Born in NYC, bassist Ken Wild, grew up in Hawaii, learning clarinet, and saxophone, and eventually the bass. Ken is a founding member of the band Seawind that made recordings on the CTI and A&M record labels, and were the opening act for Herbie Hancock, Herbie Mann, George Benson, and many others, of which Harvey Mason and George Duke were producers that included vocalist Al Jarreau. Since the mid-70’s Ken Wild has been an active studio and sessions musician for dozens of T.V. shows, Films, recordings, and theatre. Ken has performed live with dozens of major artists and appeared on over 40 recordings.
Drummer Dean Koba has performed in and around Southern California for nearly 30 years, and is a regular with the bands of Tamir Hendelman, Barry Zweig, and Greg Reitan. Dean has played at Disneyland for the last 25 years with The Jambalaya Jazz Band, and The Royal Street Bachelors, among others. Koba has a degree in percussion from Northwestern University, and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from U.S.C.. Dean has studied with drumming giants Joe La Barbera, and Jeff Hamilton, and has taught at Long Beach City College, and Mt. San Antonio and El Camino Colleges. Dean Koba has appeared on 22 recordings and performed with over 50 major artists.
