Today we’d like to introduce you to Roderick Paulin.
Hi Roderick, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am the son of legendary New Orleans bandleader, Ernest “Doc” Paulin who led brass bands on the streets of New Orleans for over 70 years. I started playing the saxophone in the fourth grade.
I began performing in my father’s band at the tender age of 9 years old along with my siblings. For the next 15 years, I learned the tradition of performing New Orleans music through the eyes of my family.
As I became a young adult in college, I began performing with other groups. I was then introduced to funk and R&B music. I took a break from my college studies to perform professionally with groups such as Rebirth Brass Band, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, and other well-known bands and musical celebrities.
After traveling extensively performing at world-class venues and festivals, I returned to the Southern University of New Orleans to complete my college studies by graduating in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. I secured a job at AT&T Inc. that provided me with financial stability for myself and my family. I still continued to take on music jobs performing at area nightclubs in and around the New Orleans area.
I continued to work at AT&T for the next 18 years. In 2015, I returned to the school system. I held band director and music teaching positions through 2017 while still performing professionally around the New Orleans area. I became more active in the music community by advocating for musicians through the Musicians Council on Fair Wages (MCFW).
To be an example to my family and musical colleagues, I entered graduate school at the Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2020. I successfully completed the Master’s program and secured a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies in May 2022. I am continuing my academic studies by being a Doctoral Candidate in the Ph.D. Music Program at LSU.
Music has been a constant most of my life and I have learned that in order to obtain success in life, one must be committed to the task of getting better as a person mentally and physically regardless of their vocations.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Because the entertainment industry was unstable, I had to make many adjustments in my musical journey to sustain myself financially.
Mentally, I have had to study psychology to learn how to stay afloat in this business. However, I have learned to accept all the hardships because that is the process to obtain success in any field.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional musician, music educator, arranger, producer, author, and speaker. I am known for being an arranger, saxophonist/clarinetist.
I am most proud of producing my first complete jazz record after 12 years of planning and recording titled “Slow but Steady” which features 40 top-tier musicians from New Orleans, LA.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to perform various genres of music well, to continue my academic pursuits when others in my age group are looking to slow down or retire, and to constantly push myself to be better at whatever I undertake regardless of circumstances.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Books: The Magic of Thinking Big and The Motivation Manifesto.
Contact Info:
- Website: roderickpaulinmusic.com
- Instagram: @roderickpaulin
- Facebook: roderickpaulinfacebook.com
- Twitter: @paulinmusik
- Youtube: youtube.com\roderickpaulin
