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TALENT PATROL Music maven Jon Guerra in his Edgewater apartment, where he finds inspiration. Music Man THE BEST IS YET TO COME FOR EMERGING SINGER-SONGWRITER JON GUERRA. BY ELLE EICHINGER O n the first track of his 2013 debut EP See, Jon Guerra lists all of the music has done many other things for Guerra, as well. At age 12, it helped him things he is not. He is not a banker, or a painter, or a Michelin three- make friends after his family made the giant leap from Houston to suburban star chef, or a sea-tamer. No, Guerra is a musician in all its forms: a Wheaton. In college, it helped him land a date with his now-wife and band singer, songwriter, advertisement jingle creator, guitarist, pianist, producer, mate, Valerie Anne ("I used playing music together as a ploy to get her to hang recording engineer and now a trumpeter (though of the last he out with me," he says). Now, music pays the bills—Guerra writes says, "I'm just learning to play; it sounds atrocious, truth be told"). advertising jingles for clients like Sears, Kraft, and Comcast— At 28, Guerra is just hitting his stride. This month, he releases a and helps him explore his faith and life. "The band and my solo an album with his band Milano titled Saturnalia, as well as his first stuff are two very distinct palates of sounds, but I like that If I weren't a music video, produced with local filmmaker Elijah Alvarado. He's because they are outlets for different stories and feelings." musician I'd be: "A teacher. also helping his church with an album of worship music to be Now others are starting to take note. Guerra is in negotiaI love kids." released nationally around the same time. And early next year, tions with Sony Provident, a division of the record label that Eat local: "[My he'll put out his solo album, Hue. "In the same month, I'm going to deals largely with worship music, for both a recording contract wife and I] recently be an integral part of these three very distinct [albums]," Guerra and a publishing contract. Through it all, he never loses sight tried brunch at says. "And it makes perfect sense to me." of the true meaning of his medium. "Music is such a personal Tweet—best lox That's because Guerra has found music to be the perfect tie that thing," he says. "You listen to it in your most solitary moments. I've ever had." holds his different passions together (how else could a devotion to I just want to bring hope and joy and beauty into those Favorite artist: Christianity and an undying love of Radiohead coexist?). And moments for people." MA "Terrence Malick, PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP INSIGHT whose movies are just phenomenal." 60 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 060_MA_SP_TP_Jonathan_Nov13.indd 60 10/21/13 10:44 AM