Joe Coughlin played percussion in school combos and a string of garage bands then, in his mid-teens, switched from drums to lead vocals, and by the late 70's, after finishing high school, was busy playing Ontario bars and clubs with his own heavy metal band, Whiteheet.

In 1979, he won CBC's "Search for the Stars" and scored a record deal, releasing a debut album in 1981 "Joe Coughlin" featuring the great Canadian rhythm-section of Ed Bickert (guitar), Don Thompson (bass), and Terry Clarke (drums), with Bernie Senensky on piano and Marty Morrell on percussion.

A follow-up "Second Debut", placed him back in Bickert's company, this time with the trio of Mark Eisenman and Kirk McDonald on tenor sax.

After a late '80's / early '90's other-media interlude of some series hosting for TV, and a couple of top ten adult contemporary singles, he released "Third Accession" - again with Mark's trio, but this time with Lorne Lofsky on guitar, and a front line of Alex Dean on tenor & flute and Mike Malone on trumpet & flugel.

In 1995, Joe moved to BC and quietly began the second stage of his jazz evolution.

"Simple Pleasures"- shared between Eisenman's Toronto trio and the west-coast union of Pat Coleman on guitar & Ken Lister on bass with contributions from Ross Taggart on tenor & piano - earned him the National Jazz Award for "Male Vocalist on the Year" in 2000.

October 23, 2007 saw the release of his 5th and finest album, "Things Turn Out That Way", a deftly chosen mix of revitalized classics and brand new standards performed with the rhythm section of Tony Genge, Ken Lister and Buff Allen. Bill Runge plays sax & flute and Mike Herriott trumpet & flugel. Pat Coleman and Rick Salt add a sparkling crisp production.

June 12, 2009 is the official release date of Joe Coughlin's new live CD recorded July 25th & 26th 2008 at the Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver, BC, with one of the most swinging trios around featuring Miles Black on piano, multiple National Jazz Award-winning bassist Jodi Proznick, and drummer Dave Robbins.

"Lowdown West Broadway" is full of gems - familiar and recognisable favourites from the Great American Songbook such as 'My Foolish Heart', 'On Green Dolphin Street', 'But Beautiful' and 'We'll Be Together Again' sitting comfortably alongside rare and lesser known gems like 'My Last Affair', 'Baby Don't You Quit Now', 'Robbins Nest' and 'I Love Being Here With You' - evidence of Joe's claim to be a proud specialist in "lost love songs for the supper club set".

Also clear proof you can be laid-back and hard-swinging at one and the same time.

It's some trick - but that's Joe.

Joe Coughlin is the winner of the 2008 and the 2009 National Jazz Award for Male Vocalist of the Year.

Joe Coughlin is the winner