John C. Paulson 

musician, composer & educator

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John Paulson started his musical journey in Rochester, MN participating in school music groups and playing sax professionally at an early age. He migrated west and got his B.M. and M.M. from the University of Utah where he developed a strong interest in jazz improvisation, composing and arranging. After several years of teaching and freelancing in Utah, he relocated to Seattle where he completed his DMA in music education from the University of Washington.  In addition to playing the sax, he studied flute and clarinet with members of the Utah Symphony and the L.A. Chamber Orchestra and studied jazz improvisation with noted teachers in NYC.  After 35 years of fulltime teaching, Dr. Paulson retired from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN with professor emeritus status and then taught jazz studies part time at Winona State University for six years.  His latest teaching endeavor involves teaching jazz improvisation at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts in Winona, MN. He has performed internationally with his student jazz groups plus doing freelance work with noted groups like The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Mel Torme, Andy Williams, Bob Hope, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, plus professional theatre & dance troupes. He has produced seven original jazz CD's including two big band recordings plus 5 Master class CD's for the Saxophone Journal. His “Five Years On” recording was recognized as one of the top 10 big band jazz CD’s of 2018 by KBEM jazz radio in Mpls.Highlights of his big band performances include performing at the national Jazz Educators Convention in Louisville, KY and numerous grant funded concerts and residencies with various schools throughout the S.E. MN region. His CD’s are on all major download sites and real CD’s are available from Momentous Records. He’s a member of ASCAP, ISJAC, JEN (the Jazz Educators Network), the River Arts Alliance and is an official artist representative for Jody Jazz Sax Mouthpieces and accessories. Visit www.paulsonjazz.com for more.

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Volunteer work:  Friendship Fish & Float program-

Winona, MN
Central Lutheran Church- Winona, MN  
(music  & food ministries).