Pete Swanson has been a part of the NYC improvised music scene for over two decades, walking comfortable between both the “straight ahead” and “avant-garde” worlds.
Growing up in a non-musical household, music was not truly introduced until his senior year in high school, when he got tired of hearing his father’s LP’s of “Ferrari engine sounds” and “The Kingston Trio” (why he got tired of these one may never know). He began playing the double bass and was introduced to the music of Dave Holland, Miroslav Vitous, and Charles Mingus. After realizing the possibilities of the instrument through these masters, it was then he decided to dedicate his life to the instrument and to the music.
As a sideman and a leader he has been lucky enough to play with such greats as Frank Kimbrough, Jeff Hirshfield, Jamie Baum, Connie Crothers, Marc Mommas, Rez Abazzi, Noah Preminger, Bryn Roberts, Ben Schachter, and Tony Moreno. He has played in many of the cities top jazz venues (including the 55 bar, Rockwood, Ibeam, and the Cornelia Street Cafe).
Pete received his masters degree from Temple University while living in Philadelphia for two years before returning to NYC. He has studied the double bass privately with jazz legends Gary Peacock and Miroslav Vitous, as well as classical phenoms Lauren Pierce, Szymon Marciniak and Sam Suggs. He also has studied theory, harmony and composition with the great Aydin Esen, and Norman David.
Pete’s love for the music translated into his passion for teaching, in which he distills vast amounts of information into small and relatable lessons to improve the overall musicianship of his students.
Pete Swanson has been a part of the NYC improvised music scene for over two decades, walking comfortable between both the “straight ahead” and “avant-garde” worlds.
Growing up in a non-musical household, music was not truly introduced until his senior year in high school, when he got tired of hearing his father’s LP’s of “Ferrari engine sounds” and “The Kingston Trio” (why he got tired of these one may never know). He began playing the double bass and was introduced to the music of Dave Holland, Miroslav Vitous, and Charles Mingus. After realizing the possibilities of the instrument through these masters, it was then he decided to dedicate his life to the instrument and to the music.
As a sideman and a leader he has been lucky enough to play with such greats as Frank Kimbrough, Jeff Hirshfield, Jamie Baum, Connie Crothers, Marc Mommas, Rez Abazzi, Noah Preminger, Bryn Roberts, Ben Schachter, and Tony Moreno. He has played in many of the cities top jazz venues (including the 55 bar, Rockwood, Ibeam, and the Cornelia Street Cafe).
Pete received his masters degree from Temple University while living in Philadelphia for two years before returning to NYC. He has studied the double bass privately with jazz legends Gary Peacock and Miroslav Vitous, as well as classical phenoms Lauren Pierce, Szymon Marciniak and Sam Suggs. He also has studied theory, harmony and composition with the great Aydin Esen, and Norman David.
Pete’s love for the music translated into his passion for teaching, in which he distills vast amounts of information into small and relatable lessons to improve the overall musicianship of his students.
