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JP Big Band Premier Concert
November 2012 Winona Art Center
by Deb Nahrgang
JP Tenor copy.jpg
click here to see the a sample program
JP SMU studio copy.jpg
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 

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