John Paulson Big Band – Coming Events for 2023 & 2024
Veterans Day Fundraising Concert | Saturday | November 11 | 7 pm
Wellington’s Pub & Grill | 1429 W Service Dr.
Concert with Mayo HS Jazz Band | Saturday | January 20, 2024 | 7 pm
Mayo High School | 1420 11th Ave. SE | Rochester
paulsonjazz.com
Big Plans for the John Paulson Big Band in 2023 & 2024
Winona, MN musician, composer, and educator John Paulson has big plans for his big band this year. On November 11 at 7:00 pm, he will lead his 19-piece big band in a special Veterans Day fund raising concert at Wellington’s Pub & Grill. All of the contributions from this performance and his “Jazz for Vets” Gofundme site (https://gofund.me/18b9376e) will go to the MACV organization in order to assist homeless Veterans in SE Minnesota. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.
As stated on their website: “Founded in 1990, MACV is the largest agency solely dedicated to serving Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Minnesota. We pursue our work with a vision for every Veteran we serve to have access to services and supports needed to avoid homelessness and achieve sustainable housing.”
If you wish to attend the live big band jazz performance at Wellington’s November 11, you should arrive early because seating is limited. They are located at 1429 W Service Dr., Winona, MN. Owner Julie Gardner (owner) and Jim Kronschnable (general manager) are hosting the band and they can be reached at 507-452-2103. The concert is free and contributions for the veterans fundraiser can be made at Wellington’s the night of the performance or at the “Jazz For Vets” Gofundme site, which is open from now until December 15 with a goal of $1000.
The John Paulson Big Band includes some of the best jazz players and teachers in the region. They are unique in that they perform only original big band jazz composed and arranged by musical director and saxophonist John Paulson. The music is an exciting mix of contemporary blues, Latin, ballads, funk and swing with plenty of solo space for the players. Since starting in 2011, the band has performed several times each year at venues all around the S.E. Minnesota region and beyond. Don’t miss this amazing band and their fantastic new music!
Following the November concert at Wellington’s, the band will perform January 20, 2024 along with the Mayo High School Jazz Band directed by Aaron Cole at Mayo High in Rochester, MN. Dr. Paulson graduated from Mayo and like the concert at Wellington’s, the band will be performing selections from their soon to be released third CD – “The Refuge Project.” The recording features the amazing new trumpet player Adam Meckler along with the stellar contributions of jazz singer Janette Hanson who will join the band for the concert at Mayo.
Related links include: www.paulsonjazz.com, www.mac-v.org, &
www.wellingtons-pubandgrill.
John C. Paulson is a fiscal year 2023 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. The Mayo High concert and CD recording are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
John Paulson is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.