“I just love the way he plays!” - New Orleans singer Germaine Bazzle
Roderick Paulin with tenor saxophone

RODERICK PAULIN

is one of the most soulful, versatile and accomplished saxophonists in New Orleans.

That status has been understood by musicians and music aficionados for many years now, and when an artist as experienced, astute – and not prone to hyperbole – as Alto saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr. says of Roderick Paulin, with unabashed enthusiasm, “Rev understands how to teach the music to musicians and he knows how to convey the music in a way for any audience to enjoy while keeping the music at a high level. Period.” Award-winning composer and music educator Roger Dickerson adds, “Roderick is quite special, truly creative – he was one of my ‘top students’ at SUNO (Southern University New Orleans)” – those are cues for the rest of us to take note of the talents of Roderick Paulin.

If the name Paulin sounds familiar, there’s a reason for that – Roderick is the son of legendary New Orleans bandleader Ernest “Doc” Paulin who led brass bands on the streets of New Orleans for over 70 years. Doc insisted that musicians in his bands adhere to certain professional standards on and off stage. Many young players began their music career by performing with Doc Paulin and have gone on to achieve musical prominence such as clarinetist Dr. Michael White, Alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, Jr. and trumpeter Gregg Stafford among scores of local New Orleans musicians.

Roderick’s musical career spans over four decades collaborating with artists such as John Legend, Harry Connick Jr.,  Aaron Neville, Allen Toussaint, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Christian McBride, Trombone ‘Shorty’ Andrews, Wynton Marsalis, The Grateful Dead, PJ Morton, The Brand New Heavies, The Afghan Whigs, Branford Marsalis, and the ReBirth Brass Band. Paulin’s experience as an arranger, producer, saxophonist/clarinetist continues to serve him well as he’s a highly sought after clinician/master class educator teaching the fundamentals of music and economic empowerment to students of all ages and demographics. For the last 10 years, Paulin has served on the faculty of the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp of New Orleans which is the longest running, minority-owned and operated music organization that serves public and private school students of New Orleans and surrounding communities.

35+ years of musical and professional experience

Roderick completed his undergraduate music degree at Southern University New Orleans (SUNO) under the guidance of New Orleans avant-garde saxophonist Edward “Kidd” Jordan, and the previously mentioned pianist and composer Roger Dickerson. Their counsel provided Roderick with a clear understanding of just how much work – and the sort of work – he’d have to do to get where he wanted to be as a jazz player and an all-around capable musician. After some 30 plus years of performing in every musical setting one can think of, Roderick returned to school at 50 years old and completed his Masters Degree at Louisiana State University (LSU - May 2022) during the Pandemic and he’s continuing his academic studies currently as a Doctoral candidate pursuing the PhD in Music Education at LSU as well.