[1][2] Bautista first played as a rhythm guitarist on Earth, Wind & Fire's 1972 album Last Days and Time.
He left the band soon after the album's release, but returned in 1981 to replace departed guitarist Al McKay.
Bautista played on the Earth, Wind & Fire albums Raise!, Powerlight and Electric Universe from 1981 to 1983.
[2] During 1967, Roland Bautista joined the Velvet Illusions, a teen band originally from Yakima, Washington, in Hollywood, California, playing guitar in live shows and on at least one recording, which was made at Sunset Sound, entitled, "Lazy".
On Keys to the City his former EWF bandmates Maurice White, Larry Dunn and Don Myrick, made guest appearances.
Bautista later guested on Ronnie Laws' 1989 LP True Spirit and The Crusaders 1993 album Live in Japan.