JOHN PROULX

The jazz scene is a buzz about singer, pianist, composer, and recording artist, John Proulx (pronounced “Proo”). His piano playing is hot and swinging, and his voice recalls the smooth, mellow sounds of a young Chet Baker. John’s latest CD, “Say It”, on the ArtistShare label, features Chuck Berghofer, Joe LaBarbera, Larry Koonse, Bob Sheppard, a duet with Melissa Manchester, and three string quartet arrangements by Alan Broadbent. John’s previous three albums on MAXJAZZ, “The Best Thing For You”, “Baker’s Dozen- Remembering Chet Baker”, and “Moon and Sand”, have garnered national and international acclaim, and John’s fan base is quickly growing. In addition to touring with his own trio, John has performed with the likes of Anita O’Day, Natalie Cole, Melissa Manchester, Michael Feinstein, and Marian McPartland.

As a composer, John has written songs for many notable singers. Jazz legend, Nancy Wilson, recorded “These Golden Years”, a song that John co-wrote with lyricist D. Channsin Berry, for her 2006 Grammy-winning CD, “Turned to Blue”. Most recently, John co-wrote a song called “Stained Glass” with Melissa Manchester for his new album, “Say It”. John and Melissa also co- wrote a song called “Big Light” for her 20th studio album, “You Gotta Love

The Life”, featuring a duet with Melissa and Al Jarreau. Jazz singer, Mary Stallings, recorded “Stuck in a Dream” (2005, “Remember Love”), and “Before You Know It” (2010, “Dream”), two songs John co-wrote with lyricist K. Lawrence Dunham. Deana Martin also recorded “Stuck in a Dream” on her latest album, “Destination Moon”. As an arranger, John has written arrangements for vocalists Ann Hampton Callaway, Linda Purl, and Antonia Bennett.

John began his formal musical education at the age of 3 in Grand Rapids, MI on Suzuki violin, but quickly switched to classical piano lessons. His late grandfather, Clyde Proulx, was a jazz guitarist who introduced him to the world of jazz. Hooked on the freedom of improvisation, his education took him to Chicago to study at Roosevelt University’s Chicago School of Performing Arts. In 2001, John moved to Los Angeles to further his musical pursuits. He emerged as a young talent on the Los Angeles jazz scene and loved the wide-range of opportunities the city had to offer.

John also spent four months in 2009 at the prestigious Feinstein’s at the Loews Regency hotel in New York playing a nightly solo piano/vocal engagement. Since then, John has appeared on Michael Feinstein’s radio show on NPR, “Song Travels” as well as on Marian McPartland’s radio show, “Piano Jazz”. John recently received a Master’s degree in “Jazz vocal performance” from Western Michigan University, and is currently on faculty at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, Cal State University Long Beach, and jazzvoice.com.

DR. NAHLA KHADDAGE BOU-DIAB

As an expert in Managing Change, Transforming Culture, and Driving effective Strategy Formation, Talent Acquisition and Retention, and Process Design, Dr. Nahla Khaddage Bou-Diab has been recognized as a credible leader, earning 7 awards for leadership excellence since 2015. 

Nahla is considered an expert in building organizational resilience, she has earned her Doctorate Degree from University of Liverpool, for her research on ‘Spirituality in the Organization’, which was recognized as an important contribution to both scholarly and practitioner knowledge. She is the Head of Women Empowerment for the World Union of Arab Bankers, and in that capacity, Nahla broke new grounds by launching the first charter for Gender Diversity in the Arab World, the charter was approved and formalized by WUAB’s board of directors, and has been featured by OECD in their June 2020 publication. Nahla has been featured in the media on multiple occasions to share her expertise on organizations, gender diversity, and managing change. 

With over 37 years of experience in Senior Management in Canada and Lebanon, Nahla led the restructuring of several organizations in Canada including her contribution to the reorganization of the Central Bank of Canada. She moved to Lebanon in 1997 where she launched Management Consulting Services for Ernst & Young Lebanon. Nahla taught ‘Change Management’ in the Executive MBA program at American University of Beirut for 10 years, until 2017. In addition, Nahla also provided mentorship and contributed to the success of many start-up companies, as part of the Endeavor Entrepreneurs program. 

Nahla joined AM Bank s.a.l. in the year 2000 and is currently the Deputy General Manager-COO of the Bank. She is an active Mentor at Endeavor, and volunteers her time to support SME’s by helping young entrepreneurs to effectively drive their business. She also provided mentorship and contributed to the success of many start-up companies, as part of the Endeavor Entrepreneurs program.

NADENE

Nadene is an indigenous Ngātiwai musician and actor. She has developed a an exploratory sound with themes of duality, transformation and transcendence.

​Nadene’s training as a vocalist and viola player in jazz and classical music is evident in her compositions. Via South Pacific harmonies, a Maori chant, and a duet with her young daughter, her voice carries us through chamber pieces, a tango, mutated funk and free electro-acoustic improvisations. Reflective of her mixed heritage as a New Zealander growing up in Queensland, Australia; of her Maori and Irish descent, a splash of Portuguese on her father’s side.

​Ongoing collaborations include recordings and performances with multi-instrumentalist and composer David Ornette Cherry, the son of legendary jazz musician Don Cherry. David Ornette Cherry’s Organic Notes Band played the 43rd Annual Watts Towers Jazz Festival and has a new recording released soon on Spiritmuse Records in 2021. Nadene has collaborated with leading Canadian Indigenous Arts Company, Red Sky Performance to present a multi-disciplinary concert, Truth 2 Power, in Toronto. She has a creative performance trio with dancer Heidi Pendergast and harpist/vocalist Nailah Hunter, along with her electro-acoustic solo project.

An avid music educator, Nadene teaches string orchestras in under-served communities for the non-profit organization Education Through Music – Los Angeles. She was a teaching artist at the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s signature ‘El Sistema’ program – YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) at HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles) in the Rampart District of Los Angeles, where she was the teacher of Anthony Gonzales who stars as Miguel in the 2017 Disney/Pixar movie, Coco. She incorporates mindfulness and her experience as a meditation teacher into her sound healing community work and classes.

​Nadene holds a Masters degree in contemporary cross-cultural improvisation.

“Rarely does a new voice of such originality and unusual approach appear.”

 – The Australian

Michael Thau

Investigative Columnist

Chesand "Chessi" Gregory is the author of the award-winning book Did Santa Wear a Mask? A multitalented, resourceful and naturally charismatic teacher, wife of a scientist, and mother of two energetic boys, The JAG Brothers. When not teaching, Chessi is most likely singing, crafting, gardening or cooking up a storm for her family.

Her personable and communicative nature allows her to easily captivate young minds by engaging them in fun and exciting ways.

As a child advocate, she empowers children by allowing them to voice their thoughts and ideas.

"One of my missions is to inspire mompreneurs to confidently build meaningful connections to empower their children's voices without their awareness for success.

Before writing my first book, inspired by my 4-year-old son, I was featured as Melody's mother by The American Girl® Doll Company in their new book release – Melody - No Ordinary Sound. I was also featured in the Loblaws® Celebrate your kitchen catalogue and as a lifestyle model for other well-known brands including, Leg Master® and Body Glove®. As a trailblazing entrepreneur, I also received the All Women Rock 2021 Women Entrepreneur Award."



Author, Chesand “Chessi” Gregory is a trained high school educator with an expertise in nutrition and teaching experiences spanning Preschool, Elementary and High school. Her love of the arts led her to the study of Couture Designs and winning awards in music competitions in her early years encouraged her to become a contemporary singer.

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