Roderick “Rev” Paulin is a distinguished saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana. Born into a storied musical lineage, he is the son of the legendary Ernest “Doc” Paulin, a revered brass band leader who significantly influenced the city’s jazz traditions. Roderick began his professional journey in the sixth grade, performing alongside his brothers in his father’s band, the Doc Paulin Dixieland Jazz Band. Over the past four decades, he has collaborated with an array of prominent artists, including Allen Toussaint, the Neville Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, Kermit Ruffins, and Branford Marsalis. His tenure with the ReBirth Brass Band in the late 1980s was pivotal, as he contributed innovative compositions and arrangements that modernized brass band music, attracting younger audiences and revitalizing the genre.

Beyond performance, Paulin is a dedicated educator and mentor. He serves as an instructor of jazz at Southern University and has been a faculty member of the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp for over a decade, nurturing the next generation of musicians. His academic pursuits led him to earn a Master of Music from Louisiana State University, where he is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education. Paulin’s multifaceted career embodies the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans, blending traditional jazz with contemporary influences, and his contributions continue to shape the city’s vibrant musical landscape.

Tonight, Paulin presents his congregation experience.