On Sunday nights, we’re putting the spotlight on the grand piano and the amazing musicians who play it! Front and center on the Festival’s concert stage is the AvantGrand hybrid piano N3X generously provided by Yamaha. Enjoy an evening of live music performed by some of Southern California’s most highly regarded pianists.

The jazz scene is abuzz about singer, pianist, composer, and recording artist, John Proulx (pronounced “Proo”). His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. John’s latest CD, “Say It”, is due out on March 14th, 2018 on the ArtistShare label.  It features Chuck Berghofer, Joe LaBarbera, Larry Koonse, Bob Sheppard, a duet with Melissa Manchester, and three string quartet arrangements by Alan Broadbent.  John’s previous three albums on MAXJAZZ, “The Best Thing For You”, “Baker’s Dozen-Remembering Chet Baker”, and “Moon and Sand”, have garnered national and international acclaim, and John’s fan base is quickly growing. In addition to touring with his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O’Day, Natalie Cole, Melissa Manchester, and Marian McPartland.

John is also a Grammy-winning composer. Jazz legend, Nancy Wilson, recorded “These Golden Years”, a song that John co-wrote with lyricist D. Channsin Berry, for her 2006 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”.