Creole George Guesnon

Biography

Creole George Guesnon (May 25, 1907 – May 6, 1968) was a pioneering jazz banjoist, guitarist, singer, and composer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Raised in the Tremé neighborhood, Guesnon was immersed in the city's vibrant musical culture from a young age. Inspired by his uncle, he began playing ukulele at twelve and later transitioned to banjo, initially self-taught and using ukulele tuning before receiving formal instruction from John Marrero. By his early twenties, Guesnon was performing in local cabarets and quickly established himself in the New Orleans jazz scene, replacing prominent musicians in bands such as Papa Celestin’s Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra and Willie Pajeaud’s orchestra.

Guesnon's career was marked by versatility and innovation. He worked with Sam Morgan’s band throughout the early 1930s, then moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to join Little Brother Montgomery’s orchestra, recording his first song, "Goodbye, Good Luck to You," in 1936. He toured with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels and later relocated to New York City, where he collaborated with Jelly Roll Morton and recorded for Decca. After serving in the Merchant Marines during World War II, Guesnon returned to New Orleans, performing with groups like the Mighty Four and touring with George Lewis. In the 1950s and 1960s, he became a fixture at Preservation Hall, contributing to the preservation and revival of traditional New Orleans jazz.

Guesnon's musical style was distinguished by a blues-inflected approach, innovative banjo technique, and expressive vocals. He was a prolific composer, recording nearly 100 original works and leaving a legacy as both a performer and a preserver of New Orleans musical traditions. His influence extended through collaborations with leading jazz figures and his role in sustaining the city’s jazz heritage until his retirement in 1965.

Fun Facts

• Guesnon was largely self-taught on banjo and initially played it with ukulele tuning until formal lessons corrected his technique.
• He shared an apartment with legendary jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton while living in New York City.
• Guesnon recorded nearly 100 of his own compositions for the Icon record label.
• He was also a jazz historian, working to preserve songs in the gombo French dialect.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Marrero - Banjo teacher who taught Guesnon standard banjo technique, replacing his earlier ukulele-style tuning. (Private lessons, band mentorship) [1920s]
• Uncle (unnamed) - Inspired Guesnon to take up ukulele and pursue music. (Family influence) [circa 1919]

Key Collaborators

• Papa Celestin - Band leader; Guesnon replaced John Marrero in Celestin’s Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra. (Celestin’s Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra) [1928]
• Willie Pajeaud - Band leader; Guesnon replaced Danny Barker in Pajeaud’s orchestra. (Willie Pajeaud’s Orchestra) [1929]
• Sam Morgan - Band leader; Guesnon played in Morgan’s band. (Sam Morgan’s Band) [1930–1935]
• Little Brother Montgomery - Band leader and pianist; Guesnon joined his orchestra and recorded his first song with him. ("Goodbye, Good Luck to You") [1935–1936]
• Jelly Roll Morton - Collaborator and roommate in New York; performed and recorded together. (Decca recordings, live performances) [1940]
• George Lewis - Clarinetist; Guesnon toured and recorded with Lewis. (Tours, recordings (including Climax Sessions)) [1955]
• Kid Thomas Valentine - Trumpeter; performed and recorded together at Preservation Hall. (Preservation Hall performances, American Music label recordings) [1960s]
• The Mighty Four - Band; Guesnon was a member alongside Harold Dejan, Alex Bigard, and Lionel Ferbos. (Performances at Melody Inn) [1953–1955]

Artists Influenced

• Preservation Hall musicians - Inspired and mentored younger generations of New Orleans jazz musicians through his performances and recordings. (Preservation Hall concerts, Riverside 'Living Legends' series) [1960s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Basin Street Blues, Pt. 2 (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
2. Closer Walk With Thee / When The Saints Go Marching In (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
3. Mississippi Town (Jackson Blues) (Take B) (Too Late, Too Late Vol. 13 (1921-1940))
4. Struttin' with Some Barbecue (The Best of Jazz Crusade)
5. Lil Liza Jane (The Best of Jazz Crusade)
6. My Blue Heaven (The Best of Jazz Crusade)
7. Milenburg Joys (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
8. 2.19 Blues (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
9. Grandpa's Spells (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
10. Wolverine Blues (A New Orleans Jazz Party)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia