NEW ORLEANS FESTIVALS - Jazz Fest Features

JAZZ - Roland Guerin

Roland Guerin has been blessed with good opportunities. While many local jazz men like Donald Harrison and Terrence Blanchard went to New York and Los Angeles to establish themselves in the jazz world, Guerin had opportunities come to him.

"Before I left Southern [University], I joined Mark Whitfield's band," Guerin says. "Before graduation, he gave me a list of dates and that turned into six years." Guerin went on to work closely with Ellis Marsalis and Marcus Roberts as well and has never has to move from his Baton Rouge home. He is a seasoned traveler, however, and has spent recent months everywhere from New York's Blue Note to the Berlin Philharmonic to collaborations with the New Japan Philharmonic in Osaka.

His signature slap bass technique earned him a spotlight and has helped establish him among top bass players. "There's certain things I am working toward," he says. "My rhythms are growing. I'm playing slap bass on upright and electric. There are different polyrhythms in each technique. My style is coming out in the phrasing."

Guerin wasn't always sure he would play bass or even jazz. He started out on viola, coming from a musical family led by his mother's zydeco and blues playing. In high school, he was working out three-part harmonies in a rock band. And he almost went to college for music at Berklee before accepting advice from Lee Fortier to study under Alvin Batiste at Southern.

"He believed in bringing personality into fruition. Take the voice in you and bring it to maturity," Guerin says. While he knew he was going to be a musician his focus developed over time. As he's become more interested in writing and recording, he has defined his work and opened new possibilities.

"My writing is modern jazz," he says. "I also learned pop, rock, funk, blues. All this comes out when I write."