Brian Swartz

Trumpeter Brian Swartz is an adept jazz musician known for his own eclectic post-bop albums as well as his vibrant session work. Following his emergence on the Los Angeles jazz scene in the '90s, Swartz found himself in-demand as a studio player, playing on albums by Michael Bublé, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Chicks, Keb' Mo', and others. He also distinguished himself as the music director for the dance ensemble JazzAntiqua, and has played and arranged for groups like the Luckman Jazz Orchestra, John Beasley's Monk'estra, and Oingo Boingo Former Members. As a leader, he has released his own well-regarded albums, including 2000's There's Only Me, 2014's Portraiture, and 2020's To Be with You. Born in 1967, Swartz first began playing trumpet at age ten, influenced by his father, a trumpeter in the United States Air Force. In his teens, his family moved to San Francisco, where he continued to excel at music, playing in the high school band. He then spent two years studying music at Solano Community College before transferring to California State University at Northridge, and later the University of Southern California. He also gained valuable insight studying privately with such well-respected trumpet gurus as Bobby Shew, John Coppola, Bill Bing, John Thomas, and Uan Rasey. Along the way, Swartz began leading his own jazz group, playing at various Los Angeles clubs, including The Jazz Bakery, LACMA, The Jazz Spot, and others. He also embarked on his freelance career, playing in an array of situations, including appearing with Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at the 1999 Playboy Jazz Festival and with the Tom Harrell Big Band at the 2000 Monterey Jazz Festival. That same year, he made his solo debut with There's Only Me on Noir Records. Away from his own group, Swartz found work as a studio and session musician, playing on high-profile albums by artists like Patti LaBelle, Michael Bublé, Gladys Knight, Keb' Mo', and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, just to name a few. In 2005, he released his second album, Live at the Jazz Bakery, which showcased his collaboration with pianist Bob Florence. The following year, he performed and contributed horn arrangements for the Chicks' Grammy-winning album Taking the Long Way. More sideman work followed, including gigs with the Luckman Jazz Orchestra, Francisco Aguabella's Latin Jazz Sextet, Bruce Eskovitz's Jazz Orchestra, Raya Yarbrough, and more. Swartz also released the Chet Baker tribute album Three in 2006, playing alongside guitarist Larry Koonse and bassist Darek Oles. In addition to performing, Swartz is a dedicated educator, regularly teaching private lessons. He has also appeared as a guest clinician at such institutions as the Los Angeles H.S. for the Arts, Santa Monica College, Occidental College, and Cal State University at Northridge. A core member of the acclaimed Los Angeles dance company JazzAntiqua since the '90s, Swartz has acted as the group's music director/composer since 2007. He also contributed to albums by Rickie Lee Jones, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Josie Cotton, and others. Portraiture arrived in 2014 and found him leading his Gnu Sextet featuring tenor saxophonist Matt Otto, trombonist Martin Sullivan, pianist Andy Langham, bassist J.P. Maramba, and drummer Jens Kuross. Recording dates followed for John Beasley's Monk'estra, Christopher Hawley, Connie Han, and more. In 2020, Swartz released To Be with You, his first album to feature his vocals. The record also featured guest appearances by Beasley on Fender Rhodes, keyboardist Scott Healy, and tenor saxophonist Keith Fiddmont.
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