The Music of Monet | John Paulson Big Band
Central Lutheran Church | 259 West Wabasha St.
Pre-Concert Talk | Friday, January 23 | 4:30 PM
Concert | Saturday, January 24 | 7:00 PM
The 18 piece John Paulson Big Band is slated to perform a concert at Central Lutheran Church January 24th at 7:00 pm in Winona as part of the church’s Music and Arts Series. The event will include various jazz selections from their previously released CDs and feature the amazing vocalist Janette Hanson of La Crosse, WI. Included in the performance will be the premiere of John Paulson’s latest work “The Music of Monet.” Wondering what that’s all about? You can attend a free and informal pre-concert talk by the composer January 23rd at 4:30 pm in Grace Hall at the church. The concert will be live streamed and recorded.
The John Paulson Big Band started in 2012 with a performance at the Winona Art Center sponsored by a grant from SEMAC- the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council. The live recording of this event led to the completion of their first CD “The John Paulson Big Band Project.” Their repertoire is unique in that all the music is composed and arranged by group leader and saxophonist John Paulson. Thanks to generous support from SEMAC and the Minnesota State Arts Board, the band has been able to record and perform several times each year and do arts residencies at area schools. Their 2nd CD “Five Years On” was recognized as one of the top 10 big band jazz CD’s of 2018 by KBEM jazz radio in Minneapolis and their 2023 CD “Refuge” includes vocalist Janette Hanson.
Janette is a free-lance singer and pianist from Onalaska. Her jazz training began at an early age with her great-aunt sitting by her side at her ancient upright piano playing ragtime hits and belting out Great American Songbook classics. She learned jazz piano and voice when she began studying with Phil Mattson through his workshops at Southwest Community College in Creston, IA. She taught award-winning vocal jazz ensembles for two decades at Sparta High School before transitioning to Viterbo University, where she serves as music director and music theatre accompanist. She regularly plays and sings with the West Salem Adult Jazz Band, Grumpy Old Men Jazz Band, John Paulson Big Band, several local combos, and with her guitar-playing husband Mark.
Central Lutheran Church is located at 259 West Wabasha St. in Winona. The event is not ticketed but it will include a free-will offering to offset the cost of the performance. Phone 507.452.5156 with questions or visit www.paulsonjazz.com for more information on Dr. Paulson’s music. For the live-stream visit: www.centrallutheranchurch.org
Photos: Anita Doering
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & 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/.