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Patrick Prouty

Patrick Prouty is a veteran bassist/composer from Detroit, MI. His previous side-man gigs have included playing with Bill Heid, Johnnie Bassett, Jan Krist, Al and Whit Hill, Alberta Adams and many other artists. Since 2000, he has been Bettye Lavette’s bassist. The Lavette band has toured the world playing all over North America, 24 tours of Europe and most recently, a tour of Japan. In 2007 Patrick received a master’s degree in improvisation from The University of Michigan. Patrick has won numerous awards including a Handy, multiple Detroit Music Awards and was the winner of the Block M Records New Music Award in 2006.

In October of 2007 Patrick released his first recording as a leader entitled The Charmed Life. It is a jazz quartet record of all original Prouty compositionswith an all-star cast of Detroit musicians. The Charmed Life focuses on Prouty’s compositions and group improvisation. Make sure to check out a John Barron.

Paul Vornhagen: Live at the Blue LLama

Read "Live at the Blue LLama" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 19, 2025

Saxophonist and composer Paul Vornhagen, a durable pillar on Detroit's jazz scene for almost three decades, puts his working quartet straight to work on this inspiring concert date, recorded in November 2023 at the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The group's precision and empathy are clear from the outset, as pianist Pat Cronley, bassist Patrick Prouty and drummer Larry Ochiltree put their heads and hands together to lend Vornhagen unwavering support on every number, ...

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Album Review

Patrick Prouty: The Charmed Life

Read "The Charmed Life" reviewed by John Barron

by John Barron
October 7, 2007

Detroit bassist/composer Patrick Prouty is one of the more dynamic musical voices to emerge out of the Motor City in recent years. Having recently completed a lengthy tenure as a member of soul legend Bettye Lavette's road band, the in-demand bassist has decided to focus on a more personalized musical vision. The Charmed Life, Prouty's debut as a leader, is a muscular, straight-ahead release featuring pianist Phil Kelly, vibraphonist Rob Pipho and drummer Bill Higgins, Jr.

Prouty takes an unremitting ...