Brian Swartz

Trumpet, Vocals, Composer, Arranger, Instructor

Los Angeles, CA

Trumpeter Brian Swartz is a diverse musician with a wide range of influences. He has appeared on multiple Grammy® nominated and winning recordings with artists including The Dixie Chicks' Double Platinum "Taking the Long Way" which won 5 Grammy® Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year in February 2007, John Beasley's Monk'estra which has garnered 6 Grammy® Nominations for it's 3 albums and 1 Grammy® Win for Beasley's arrangement of "Donna Lee," The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Scott Healy's Tentet and Kim Richmond's Concert Jazz Orchestra. He has also performed or recorded with The Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, Robin Thicke, Saint Motel, Patti Labelle, Natalie Cole, Dianne Reeves, Ivan Lins, Tom Harrell, Chucho Valdés, Brad Mehldau, Rickie Lee Jones, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The O’Jays, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Azar Lawrence, Buddy Montgomery, Joe Henry, Keb' Mo', Jackie Greene, Josie Cotton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gerry Gibbs, Connie Han, Taylor Eigsti, Raya Yarbrough, Bob Florence, The Luckman Jazz Orchestra, Francisco Aguabella, The Los Angeles Jazz Collective, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars and many more. Since 2005, Swartz has proudly held the trumpet chair in Oingo Boingo Former Members.

Brian Swartz has released five jazz albums as a leader: "There’s Only Me" (Noir Records 2000), "Live at the Jazz Bakery" (Summit Records 2005), "Three" (Summit Records 2006) and "Portraiture" (Summit Records 2014), "To Be With You" (DistroKid 2020). As an arranger, Brian has written for his own big band, Ruthie Foster's 2021 Grammy® Nominated "Live at the Paramount," the Ron Jones Influence Orchestra and has served as staff arranger for The Luckman Jazz Orchestra, John Beasley’s Monk’estra, Oingo Boingo Former Members and the ABC TV show, "Duets." Brian's film credits include the 2012 Oscar® Winning Animated Feature "Rango," Jennifer Anniston's "The Break-Up," "The Cooler" starring William H. Macy and "Let Them All Talk" with Meryl Streep. In 2021, Brian appeared with John Beasley's Quintet on the Amazon Prime TV show 'Bosch," Season 7, Episode 1.

Awards

Brian Swartz has performed on the following Grammy Nominated/Winning albums:

"Taking the Long Way"

The Dixie Chicks

Winner of 4 Grammys including Album of the Year 2007

"Hudson City Suite"

Scott Healy Tentet

Scott Healy - Grammy Nomination for best instrumental composition 2014.

"Artisty"

Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra

Kim Richmond - Grammy Nomination for best arrangement 2014.

"The L.A. Treasures Project"

The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

Grammy Nomination for best large jazz ensemble 2015.

"John Beasley Presents Monk'estra Vol. 1"

John Beasley's Monk'estra Big Band

Grammy Nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album 2017

John Beasley - Grammy Nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella 2017

"John Beasley Presents Monk'estra Vol. 2"

John Beasley's Monk'estra Big Band

Grammy Nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album 2018

John Beasley - Grammy Nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella 2018

"Monk'estra Plays John Beasley"

John Beasley's Monk'estra Big Band

Grammy Nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album 2020

John Beasley - Grammy Nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella 2020

2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest

Brian Swartz was the Grand Prize Winner - Jazz Category - Session II - "Down With Downs"

Gear

Brian Swartz plays Cannonball Trumpets and Bob Reeves Mouthpieces.

Tags

Album Review

Three by Michael P. Gladstone

"His (Brian Swartz) playing is rich, probing, thoughtful and expressive; beautiful melodic lines, nearly flawless technique, and harmonically rich compositions..."

- Michael Hackett, ITG Journal Jan. 2016

"Swartz produces a warm relaxed tone reminiscent of Chet Baker and early Miles Davis."

- Douglas Lockard, ITG Journal Mar. 2007

"Swartz has...superior technique and the ability to improvise creatively in wide range of settings."

- Ken Dryden, All Music

"Adventurous, forward thinking yet firmly grounded we have Brian Swartz and The Gnu Sextet establishing their rightful place as one of the finer large ensembles working today."

Primary Instrument

Trumpet

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Brian Swartz has taught trumpet and improvisation in West Los Angeles since 1997. Lessons are for all levels and styles of playing and are one on one. Whether a resident of Los Angeles or just passing through you can email Brian Swartz directly for availability and rates at [email protected]