This week, Ira spoke with LA-based jazz pianist, vocalist, educator, composer and recording artist John Proulx, who performs at Vic's Las Vegas September 27-28. In this episode of “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” John talks about learning to play by ear; why he loved jazz from an early age, but also folk music; how his early piano lessons were more boogie-woogie; how he liked to improvise; his definition of jazz; why growing up around music does influence you; how his daughter “hipped” him to Brazilian music; why he obtained his academic credentials in music and why he felt it was important to achieve it; his association with PianowithJonny.com, a subscription-based piano teaching site; how writing with Melisa Manchester was a career highlight for him; how jazz vocalist are more conversational (the story, the tone is different as well); the jazz influences of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett; how Nat “King” Cole was one of his first musical idols; the importance of quality in jazz; and his favorite jazz song. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)