JP Big Band Premier Concert
November 2012 Winona Art Center
by Deb Nahrgang

click here to see the a sample program










Click a pic to see more... SMU Recording Session March 2023 below
YES!
click here for YouTube videos
The John Paulson Big Band
For over 30 years, Dr. John Paulson has been writing and arranging big band charts. The John Paulson Big Band was founded in 2012 with the assistance of a grant from the McKnight Foundation administered by the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. In November of 2012, the group blew the roof off the old church that houses the Winona Art Center with a standing room only concert. The live recording of this event plus some additional studio work led to the completion of their first CD “The John Paulson Big Band Project.” Since then, they have performed several times each year at venues like: The Page Theatre at Saint Mary’s University, The Winona County History Center, a road trip to the JEN (Jazz Educators’ Network) Conference in Louisville, KY, Winona State University, high school residencies in Red Wing, Rochester and Rushford plus regular gigs at their home base in Winona- Wellington’s Pub & Grill.
Many of the Midwest’s finest musicians and soloists now perform regularly with the JPBB including the amazing Adam Meckler (trumpet & flugelhorn), Scott Agster and Dave Graf (trombone) and guitarist Scott Gerry. Joining the group on their 2ndCD is vocalist Ariane Lydon.
Like the first recording, their 2ndCD, “Five Years On” includes several varied styles of contemporary jazz- all composed and arranged by Dr. Paulson. These include: straight ahead blues, Latin and swing; a bluesy ballad with vocals and a twisted tango with crazy time changes. All these are greatly accessible to the listener. This project was also made possible by a grant from the McKnight Foundation and SEMAC in Rochester, MN
JP Big Band "Five Years On" Recording
Session April 2018 St. Mary's U.
by Brett Huus & Eric Heukeshoven
JPBB SLIDE SHOW!









JPBB Chronology
Gigs, Concerts, & Residences
2012
Winona Art Center Premiere Concert
2013
“John Paulson Big Band Project” CD/DVD release
JPBB at Saint Mary’s University Centennial Gala
2014
Wellington’s Pub & Grill Concert
Saint Mary’s University Page Series Concert w/ The Hornheads
2015
Wellington’s Pub & Grill Concert
2016
Sheldon Theatre Concert – Red Wing, MN
Artist Residency & Concert - Red Wing High School
Wellington’s Pub & Grill Concert
JEN Jazz Educators Conference Concert
Louisville, KY
2017
Winona County History Center Concert
Wellington’s Pub & Grill Concert
2018
Winona State University Concert
Artist Residency & Concert - Rushford High School
“Five Years On” CD release
Wellington’s Pub & Grill Concert
2019
JPBB on KBEM jazz88 radio (Minneapolis)
Artist Residency & Concert - Mayo H.S Rochester, MN
Wellington’s Pub & Grill Concert
2020
Saint Cecila Hall Concert Winona, MN
2021
Wellington’s Pub & Grill Concert
2022
Artist Residency & Concert - Caledonia High School
2023
10 Year Anniversary Concerts Winona Art Center
CD #3 planned for Fall release