Joe is the 2009 National Jazz Awards "Male Vocalist of the Year".

What the critics are saying about the new CD Lowdown West Broadway.

"Unlike the pop singers who pass as jazz vocalists these days, Coughlin is the real deal, his voice an instrument on par with the rest of the band, a voice that phrases and improvises exactly as any wind instrument would." Rick Gibbs

Islandjazz.com

"Coughlin uncorks thoughtful readings of old favourites and several gems that he unearthed and reshaped with characteristic cool and hard-won wisdom." Joseph Blake

Times Colonist

"Coughlin nails it with feeling!" Marke Andrews

Vancouver Sun

"Joe gets Low Down with these carefully selected tunes, there's energy to swing, knock out a great ballad, and take his audience inside a song. He could be a very Bad Influence on the ladies. Joe can out croon the crooners and put a beat in your step! Beautiful." Helen Simons

The JazzXpress Australia

"Eventhough Joe Coughlin’s silky and swinging Things Turn Out That Way was released last year, it has now taken on a second life: this most dapper of singers won the 2008 National Jazz Award for vocalist of the year due to this remarkably fine recording. Justly revered as an inspired interpreter of jazz standards, the Victoria-based Coughlin has an impressive but understandably very mainstream discography. That changed somewhat with Things, which includes a half-dozen originals alongside such classics as “Do Nothing ‘Til You Hear From Me” and “Teach Me Tonight.” Most of the new songs were composed by guitarist Pat Coleman, and aside from being tasty jazz gems they further benefit from the sly hipster lyrics of Colin Lazzerini (who executive-produced the CD). Both classic and new, Things is Coughlin’s finest achievement." - Robert Moyes- Boulevard Magazine

" one of the top male vocalists on the Canadian jazz scene.
He is not only capable of singing a choice ballad but also the ability to handle complex jazz numbers, which few others can.
Dave Milbourne - Publisher & Columnist Toronto Jazz

" Joe is simlpy the best"

Shaukat Husain - Host of "Straight No Chaser" CFUV FM

" The only problem I have with the album is I play tracks from it too often. When I prefaced the regular 'Money & Finance' segment on my morning show with 'It's A Jungle Out There' Joe became an integral part of 'Peninsula Update'! But from the musical standpoint is where the quality really shows, jazz influenced but accessible music with this kind of flair is hard to come by...either it's intimidating to the non jazz fanatic, or it's too easy listening oriented. Joe get's it just right, the voice is not that sweet it cloys, but the expression and timing both ask for and give sympathy and friendship. And it wouldn't be this good without the quality backing...top professional work that fits in perfectly with the production values of the album. Did I say Production? Even the 'look' and the packaging shouts quality. Congratulations to everyone involved."

Don Smith - Radio Port Philip Victoria Australia

...arguably one of the world's great jazz singers ... an equally talented studioband on a collection of smart original tune and several even smarter versions of jazz standards ..., Thins Turn Out That Way is an instant classic ... a singer's singer, a horn-ike improviser with brilliant technique and taste ... worldly soulful and hip ... the essence of everything wonderful. Five Stars. Joseph Blake - Times Colonist - Victoria, Canada

I love Joe's CD ... a top notch release with some outstanding songs and great musicians. Jacques Emond - CKCU-FM - Galaxie - Ottawa, Ontario

... opening track sets the stage for what is to come ... I cannot put it down ... even take it to work with me to listen on my portable ... great job ... highly recommend this work of musical art to all. Leon Reyes - Leon's Jazz In A Box, KVMR Radio 89.5 - Sacramento Ca USA

Good to see that it's still possible today to find composers/writers able to propose material as strong as that from the Broadway golden age. Claude Copaert - Jazz A Iame Radio Campus -France

... a veteran jazz singer with several albums to his credit ... now offers perhaps his best album yet with this year's release of Things Turn Out That Way ... fourteen tracks of exciting morden jazz music ... anchored by a host of original tunes written by the team of Pat Coleman abd Colin Lazzerini ... one of the best jazz vocals albums I've had the pleasure of listening to ... songs are great, the musical support unchallenged and the singer possesses one of the best baritone voices in the business ... a heck of an album. Edward Blanco DJ WDNA 88.9 FM Miami FL in ejazznews.com

Great album. Fantastic stuff for our Radio Station. Alex Pijnen - Brto Radio Nederlands

... a fabulous album and my listeners love it ... great piece of work. Helen Jarroe - Cairns FM89.1 - Queensland Australia

...a star is born. Toronto Life Magazine

feeling for a song is convicing...voice has a gentle, easy quality. Ottawa Citizen

...sings ballads that are breathtaking. Jazz Now

I like the smokey quality of his voice. Cadence Magazine

...excellent voice...really swings. Calgary Sun

...damn good singer! Audio Scene

...abundance of style! Globe and Mail

...same league as Sinatra...voice is velvety...singing soft and supple. Chatelaine

...our answer to Torme, Bennett and Sinatra. Toronto Sun

...saloon singer in the very best sense. Toronto Star

...melodic craftsman...skill, style and sensitivity...national musical treasure. Goodlife

...mature, full bodied pipes...like a smooth but robust Cabernet Sauvingnon...sings with passion, humour and gentleness. Jazz Report