Co-Director Jazz Band Teaching Assistant in Jazz Studies
ABOUT
Judah Guerra is a trombonist and bassist from West Michigan. Raised in a musical family, he pursued every musical opportunity he could before earning his bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from Michigan State University, where he studied trombone with Michael Dease and upright bass with Rodney Whitaker. His performance experience has taken him across the United States and internationally to Jamaica and Japan.
Following graduation, Guerra recorded his debut album, Student of the Way, with musicians from his musical community. The independently released album was released on July 1, 2026.
Guerra continued his studies at The University of Texas at Austin, where he has performed with artists including Nicholas Payton, David Kikoski, Helen Sung, Joel Frahm, Summer Camargo, Aubrey Logan, and Kate Kortum. He also serves as a teaching assistant at UT while remaining active as a performer in Austin.
New York trombonist Robert Edwards has described Guerra as “refreshing” to the modern jazz scene for maintaining “joy and excitement for the tradition.”
Judah Guerra is a trombonist and bassist from West Michigan. Raised in a musical family, he pursued every musical opportunity he could before earning his bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from Michigan State University, where he studied trombone with Michael Dease and upright bass with Rodney Whitaker. His performance experience has taken him across the United States and internationally to Jamaica and Japan.
Following graduation, Guerra recorded his debut album, Student of the Way, with musicians from his musical community. The independently released album was released on July 1, 2026.
Guerra continued his studies at The University of Texas at Austin, where he has performed with artists including Nicholas Payton, David Kikoski, Helen Sung, Joel Frahm, Summer Camargo, Aubrey Logan, and Kate Kortum. He also serves as a teaching assistant at UT while remaining active as a performer in Austin.
New York trombonist Robert Edwards has described Guerra as “refreshing” to the modern jazz scene for maintaining “joy and excitement for the tradition.”