John Paulson Big Band New Release – “The Refuge Project”

Saxophonist, composer and educator John Paulson of Winona, MN has just released his third CD of original big band jazz – “The Refuge Project.” The diverse music on the CD took over five years to compose, arrange and produce. All of the selections were road tested by the 19-piece John Paulson Big Band prior to recording the tracks in Winona last March. A Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board helped to produce the CD and fund a capstone concert coming up January 20, 2024 at Mayo High School in Rochester, MN. Featured artists on the recording include the amazing Adam Meckler (trumpet and flugelhorn) and the addition of jazz vocalist Janette Hanson of La Crosse, WI on the title tune “Refuge” — a work inspired by Dr. Paulson’s repeated trips to the amazing Trempealeau Federal Wildlife Refuge in Western Wisconsin. There is also a reorchestrated instrumental version of “Refuge” on the CD highlighting the band’s amazing improvisational talents. 

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 the next opportunity to hear this group perform – a special Veterans Day fund raising concert at Wellington’s Pub & Grill in Winona November 11 at 7:00 pm.  All of the contributions from this performance and their “Jazz for Vets” Gofundme site (https://www.gofundme.com/f/jazz-for-vets) will go to the MACV organization to assist homeless Veterans in SE Minnesota.

Related links include: www.paulsonjazz.com, www.mac-v.org, &, www.wellingtons-pubandgrill.com.

John C. Paulson is a fiscal year 2023 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is 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/.