Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-10-13
Singer / songwriter / bassist / producer Roland Guerin is bringing his signature bass odyssey from his new home base in Switzerland to the U.S. this fall, from a Vicksburg, Mississippi Leavitt arts fest to his former hometown New Orleans. His genre PROG:FUNK was formed after years of touring and recording with legends from Allen Toussaint to Marcus Roberts, and serving as Dr. John's music director.
Guerin's U.S. tour is kicking off with John Jones, Sethington Finch and Derek Douget backing his bass anthem “Bridge to Open Waters,” existential dreamscape “Crunch Time” and “I Propose,” a bass opus full of his signature riffs from his PROG:FUNK EP [Louisiana Red Hot Records]. Bass fans can stream for a preview of the sound that Tidal called the 'most out-there jazz' and Apple Music chose for notable in Rock.
His PROG:FUNK genre merges progressive styles with melodies, rhythms and storytelling techniques born from the legends of Louisiana who Guerin performed with for years. “Allen Toussaint was my mentor in songwriting and arranging,” he says. “As well as Alvin Batiste and Dr. John, serving as MD.” Listeners can feel the heartbeat of yesterday with the sound of today in Guerin's PROG:FUNK, produced in his formidable studio that was enhanced by state of the art gear won in Burl Audio’s International Song of the Year contest with his Louisiana Red Hot track: “28 Days.”
Guerin stretched his studio to the limits playing every instrument on PROG:FUNK EP, adding John Jones’ drums on “I Propose.” The sound debuted with a New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation concert at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center.
Over festival season, he received the Alvin Batiste Hall of Distinction Award from the Greater Arts Council of Baton Rouge, where he'll return Oct. 29 for a special show.
Throughout his career, Guerin has performed with groundbreaking musicians from Jon Batiste to Alvin Batiste & the Jazztronauts. The Fort Polk, Louisiana native toured for years with Toussaint, was the music director and bassist for Dr. John, and has toured internationally with guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert. He’s most recently toured with the Marcus Roberts Trio, and with Brian Blade: The Fellowship Band, and Brian is on his upcoming album. Guerin recently demoed the Ibanez Mode Series Bass with an Alpine background: WATCH HERE.
From BBC Proms with Marcus Roberts to Finland festivals to artist in residence in Switzerland, Guerin stays booked in his new European home base, and now listeners from his original stomping grounds can catch him throughout the fall, with Midwestern dates coming in 2027.
Stay tuned for Guerin's long anticipated album: Roland Guerin's Prog Funk coming out on Louisiana Red Hot Records over the holidays.
Saturday, Oct. 24 – Maple Leaf Bar (11 pm, after John Cleary) – New Orleans, LA
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Tuesday, Oct. 27 – Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro – New Orleans, LA
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Thursday, Oct. 29 – Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge – Baton Rouge, LA
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Saturday, Oct. 31 – Levitt AMP Arts Series Festival – Vicksburg, MS
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Official website: www.rolandguerin.com
