Producer, composer, jazz artist John Guerin, one of the most prominent and prolific drummers in the music community, died Monday, Jan. 5th 2004 of heart failure at West Hills Hospital in West Hills, Ca. He was 64.
Guerin performed just last week with artist Steve Tyrell at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood.
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Since the record boom of the late sixties, John Guerin has run the gamut of musical feelings, recording with greats such as Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, The Byrds and Thelonius Monk. In Jazz and Pop, he is one of the most recorded drummers of all time. In the film medium, his most celebrated work was on the soundtrack for Clint Eastwood's motion picture "Bird".
He has also worked with Dave Grusin, Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams and a myriad of other fine composers. Guerin traveled worldwide co-leading the L.A. Express and working with Joni Mitchell. His compositions include "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" with Joni Mitchell, "Don't Be Blue" with Michael Franks and countless songs with other artists. Guerin has produced many record projects including work for O.C. Smith, Keith Carradine ("I'm Easy"), and Terry Garthwaite. He achieved ProEmeritus status by winning the NARAS M.V.P. award for four years, and has authored a drum book titled "Jazz + Rock = John Guerin".
Recent credits include work with Oscar Peterson, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, and producing a series of jazz CD's for Japan. Guerin is currently a Clinician for the D.W. Drum Company and is appearing with the trios of Roger Kellaway and Mike Melvoin.
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