Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-04-26
Photo: Courtesy of Roland Guerin
Acclaimed New Orleans bassist, producer, and songwriter Roland Guerin takes the stage at the Maple Leaf Bar, returning from Switzerland, at 8 p.m. April 30 for a night of PROG:FUNK with a band including Brian Blade, Seth Finch, and Chris Adkins.
Guerin will also perform with the Allen Toussaint Jazzity Project at Jazz Fest on May 3, making it a reunion week.
Singer / songwriter / bassist / producer Guerin has brought the creativity he absorbed from years of touring and recording with legends to his EP PROG:FUNK, featuring the power bass anthem “Bridge to Open Waters,” existential dreamscape “Crunch Time,” and “I Propose,” a bass opus full of his signature riffs.
PROG:FUNK merges progressive styles with melodies, rhythms, and storytelling techniques born from the legends of Louisiana.
“Allen Toussaint was my mentor in songwriting and arranging, as well as Alvin Batiste and Dr. John, serving as MD,” Guerin says.
Throughout his career, Guerin has performed with groundbreaking musicians including Jon Batiste, Alvin Batiste & the Jazztronauts, guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert, the Marcus Roberts Trio, and the Brian Blade Fellowship Band.
Known for his genre of PROG:FUNK (Louisiana Red Hot Records), Guerin channels New Orleans through years onstage with legends—serving as music director for Dr. John and longtime bassist for Allen Toussaint.
With a résumé that reads like a Crescent City hall of fame, Guerin continues to push boundaries: “28 Days,” from PROG:FUNK, took home Burl Audio’s Song of the Year, and the EP landed on Tidal’s 50 Most Out There Jazz Releases and Apple Music’s New in Rock.
He’s finishing his new full-length album, a project that started in New Orleans, evolved in Canada, and is wrapping up in Switzerland.
Stay tuned for Guerin’s upcoming stateside shows, European bookings, and his full album, arriving on Louisiana Red Hot Records.
Fans can also catch Guerin’s friend and label-mate Corey Henry at his Thursday night residency at Vaughan’s Lounge, Mondays at D.B.A., at the Maple Leaf April 28, at Jazz Fest on May 2, on his Grammy-nominated record Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet Live at Vaughan’s, and with new music coming soon on Louisiana Red Hot Records.
