In baseball, a 5-tool player is one that can hit for average, hit with power, base run, throw and field. If there is such a category in jazz, John Proulx is definitely in that tier. He can sing, play the piano, compose, arrange and lead a band, all with the best time, delivery and style that you could ask for. He first got on the map for having a voice that hints of Chet Baker, but at this stage he’s distinct enough in his deliver to have his sound called “California Hip”: not overstating a lyric, a bit laid back and cozy, yet swinging with confidence. In other words, not a poser like some that we won’t mention, but rhymes with Buble’…
Anyway, I digress. This disc has him with LA’s best gents: Chuck Berghofer/b, Joe LaBarbera/dr, Larry Koonse/g, and Bob Sheppard/woodwinds with a mix of standards, ringers and some material he’s written on his own with lyricist K. Lawrence Dunham. Of the latter, “Jogger Chronicles,” while mixing up some pop theology (how can one who practices agnostic Zen Buddhism say “Hallelujah”?) is a very cool and collected piece of modern culture, while “Love Is For Dreamers” is a quintessential love song that begs to be played on the radio. He and Berghofer deliver a highly bluesy bass and vocal duet on the sleek”Here’s to the Chuckster” while Proulx also goes lighthearted on “Push Hands Anna.” He’s still got the bop chops as he displays on a chrome-shined take of Cannonball Adderley’s “Wabash” and modernizes up “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” takes away any sense of nostalgia and makes it sound completely modern and relevant both in terms of music and message. Guest appearances by Ron Stout/tp and Jeremy Boersma/cello make “The Best Thing For You (Would Be Me)” and “Angel” respectively snap and silhouette the atmosphere, showing again the range of this accomplished arranger. If you’re tired of the same ol’ same ol’ and still want to hear a melody, give this LA cat a try.
He’s at Catalina’s Nov 7 to promote this fine music; do yourself a favor!
MaxJazz
www.maxjazz.com