Episode 8 showcases music from the brand new John Paulson Big Band Project recording, in addition to cuts from 70’s Chicago Old Town folk scene luminary (& current Decorah resident) Bonnie Koloc, prolific odd-ball Winonan Mista Clue, Rochester’s mad-cap genius Hound (Eric VanKirk), Red House Records artists The Pines, Winona’s own crooner extraordinaire Jacob Grippen, and Twin Cities songsmith Jeremy Messersmith.

The John Paulson Big Band Project
Liner Notes by John C. Paulson  December 2013

The goal of this project was to perform and record a set of big band jazz charts I began writing nearly 30 years ago. In 2011, I was successful in acquiring a McKnight Individual Artist grant thru the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to help make this happen. First of all I had to do extensive rewriting and finishing work on each existing chart since many of the necessary details had not been completed.  In the process I came up with some new charts along the way.

While I was completing all of the writing tasks, I started work on lining up the best area musicians I could find for each spot in the band as well as investigating some of the top soloists in the Midwest.  This led me to utilizing the talents of Twin Cities artists Adam Meckler, (trumpet and flugelhorn); Scott Agster, (trombone) and guitarist Scott Gerry (a former student of mine).  The grant provided for an extensive afternoon rehearsal followed by a public concert at the Winona Art Center November 17, 2012.  Plans were also to include recording the event. Although the venue was rather small for the project, it ended up working very well and the artwork in place made a great setting.  Unfortunately, we had to turn people away but those who got a seat were very enthusiastic about the music and the soloists that evening.

What was to be only a single concert ended up to be three concerts in the next few months and what wasn’t recorded “live” was completed in a single session at Saint Mary’s U. in May of 2013. I hope you’ll enjoy the energy and spirit we’ve captured on these recordings.  For more information on this and other projects, please visit my website at paulsonjazz.com. Thanks for listening!

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John Paulson
“They Still Have a Pad Downtown”
John Paulson Big Band Project
John C. Paulson
2013

Bonnie Koloc
“It’s Great When It Rains”
Here to Sing
Independent
2006

The Pines
“Cry Cry Crow”
Dark So Gold
Red House Records
2012

Jeremy Messersmith
“Light Rail”
The Silver City
Princess Records
2008

Lusy VanKirk
“Ayah”
Oscillation Overthruster
Independent
2004

Jacob Grippen
“Questions Asked”
The Lonely Road
Independent
2011

Mista Clue
“Every Time You Call”
The MettaGnomes
Independent
2013

theme music:
Mike Munson
“Over Now”
Mike Munson
Independent
2013