Brian Swartz

Brian Swartz

Stomvi Trumpet Artist Trumpet, EVI, Composer, Arranger, Instructor Los Angeles, CA BSTPT@aol.com

In his most recent release “Three,” on Summit Records in June 2006, Brian Swartz pays homage to the great trumpeter Chet Baker and his trio of the late 1970s. By channeling the power of simplicity fro those landmark recordings, Swartz’s trio (featuring Larry Koonse on guitar and Darek Oles on bass) infuses life into the concept of interpreting standards.

In May 2000, Swartz completed his debut CD as a leader, “There’s Only Me,” which was released worldwide on Noir Records. In 2003, Swartz began working with a new quartet featuring Bob Florence on piano. The group plays standards with a unique twist that only Swartz and Florence can provide. Swartz’s second CD, “Live at the Jazz Bakery,” released in July 2005 by Summit Records, features this adventurous group.

Swartz is a second-generation trumpeter; his father played for 30 years in the United States Air Force. This early exposure to music made a profound influence on him and he started playing trumpet at the age of ten. He studied with trumpet guru Bobby Shew, John Coppola (SFO), Bill Bing (CSUN), and LA studio legend Uan Rasey. Swartz’s dedication to mastering his craft and continually building upon his knowledge has brought him to prominence in the Los Angeles jazz scene.

Swartz started his own group in 1996 and has become an accomplished composer and arranger, securing performances at most of the major jazz venues in Los Angeles. Swartz’s quintet has featured some of LA’s top sideman such as saxophonists Keith Fiddmont, George Harper and Ben Clatworthy; pianists Brad Mehldau, Billy Childs, John Beasley, Bob Florence, Theo Saunders and Bill Cunliffe; bassists Jeff Littleton, Kevin Axt, Jeff D’Angelo and Darek Oles; and drummers Lorca Hart, Dick Weller and Aaron Serfaty. In (Year), Swartz hosted a series at Lunaria in Century City called “The Best of LA’s Trumpets” which featured his quintet backing up many of LA’s greatest jazz trumpeters.

For three years Swartz was a regular member of one of LA’s best swing bands, Red and the Red Hots, with whom he appeared on the “Donnie and Marie Show” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Swartz also performed at the 1999 Playboy Jazz Festival with actor/pianist Jeff Goldblum’s Miriam Schnitzer Orchestra. Swartz played and acted as contractor for the Tom Harrell Big Band which performed music from Harrell’s Grammy nominated CD “Time’s Mirror” (RCA/Victor), at the Jazz Bakery in December of 1999. This band also performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in September of 2000. More recently, Swartz performed at the 2001 Playboy Jazz Festival in Pasadena with Bruce Lofgren’s fusion orchestra, After Burner. In 2002, Swartz formed “The Quorum” in which he explored his “fusion” roots. The group featured Swartz’ nimbleness on the Akai/Steiner EVI, a wind driven synthesizer based on the trumpet. He continues to compose for this group and it is a source of intense and powerful music.

Swartz’s versatility as either a jazz soloist or a powerful section player has made him a much sought after sideman. He can be heard on recordings with Joe Henry, Keb Mo, Michael Buble’, Patti Labelle, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jackie Green, The Dixie Chicks, Taylor Eigsti, the Buddy Childers Big Band, Red and the Red Hots, Jane Getz, Dale Fielder, Todd Hunter, Rebecca Kyler Downs, Teddy Thompson, Dave Sherr’s Artmusic Ensemble, Josh Nelson, Raya Yarbrough and numerous other TV and film studio dates.

On stage, Swartz has performed with Buddy Childers, Jack Sheldon’s Big Band, Bob Florence’s “Limited Edition,” Canadian “crooner” Michael Buble’, Francisco Aguabella’s Latin Jazz Sextet, The Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, Jane Getz, Todd Hunter, Buddy Montgomery, Carmen Lundy, Dale Fielder, Black/Note, Don Rickles, Phil Vieux, Bruce Lofgren’s “After Burner,” Bobby White, Chuck Flores, The Jazz Spot Orchestra, Rebecca Kyler Downs, Bruce Eskovitz’s Jazz Orchestra, Dina Deluxe, Sandra Booker and Raya Yarbrough.

Since 1996, Swartz has been a core member with the critically acclaimed Jazzantiqua, a dance company which performs extended works live with a jazz quintet. The company has performed to rave reviews at the LA Theater Center and at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater. Throughout his professional career, Swartz has understood the importance of passing down the tradition of trumpet playing and he maintains a busy schedule of private students in the Los Angeles area.