Steve Swallow (born October 4th, 1940 in Fair Lawn, New Jersey) is a jazz b… Read Full Bio ↴Steve Swallow (born October 4th, 1940 in Fair Lawn, New Jersey) is a jazz bass guitarist and composer.
As a child, Swallow studied piano and trumpet before turning to the double bass at age 14. While attending a preparatory school, he began trying his hand in jazz improvisation. In 1960 he left Yale, where he was studying composition, and settled in New York City, playing at the time in Jimmy Giuffre's trio along with Paul Bley. Since joining Art Farmer's quartet in 1964, Swallow began to write. It is in the 1960s that his long-term association with Gary Burton's various bands began.
In the early 1970s, Swallow switched exclusively to bass guitar, of which he prefers the 5-string variety. Along with Bob Cranshaw, Swallow was among the first jazz bassists to switch exclusively to electric bass guitar (with much encouragement from Roy Haynes, Swallow's favorite drummer). Swallow plays with a pick (made of copper by Hotlicks), and his style involves intricate solos in the upper register; he was one of the early adopters of the high C string on a bass guitar.
In 1974-1976 Swallow taught at the Berklee College of Music. It is often speculated that he had an influence on the contents of The Real Book, which includes a fair number of his early compositions. He later recorded an album of the same name (Real Book), with the picture of a well-worn, coffee-stained Real Book on the cover.
In 1978 Swallow became an essential and constant member of Carla Bley's band. He toured extensively with John Scofield in the early 1980s, and has returned to this collaboration several times over the years.
Swallow has consistently won the electric bass category in Down Beat magazine's yearly polls, both Critics' and Readers' polls, since the mid-80s. His compositions have been covered by, among others, Jim Hall (who recorded his very first tune, "Eiderdown"), Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Stan Getz and Gary Burton.
As a child, Swallow studied piano and trumpet before turning to the double bass at age 14. While attending a preparatory school, he began trying his hand in jazz improvisation. In 1960 he left Yale, where he was studying composition, and settled in New York City, playing at the time in Jimmy Giuffre's trio along with Paul Bley. Since joining Art Farmer's quartet in 1964, Swallow began to write. It is in the 1960s that his long-term association with Gary Burton's various bands began.
In the early 1970s, Swallow switched exclusively to bass guitar, of which he prefers the 5-string variety. Along with Bob Cranshaw, Swallow was among the first jazz bassists to switch exclusively to electric bass guitar (with much encouragement from Roy Haynes, Swallow's favorite drummer). Swallow plays with a pick (made of copper by Hotlicks), and his style involves intricate solos in the upper register; he was one of the early adopters of the high C string on a bass guitar.
In 1974-1976 Swallow taught at the Berklee College of Music. It is often speculated that he had an influence on the contents of The Real Book, which includes a fair number of his early compositions. He later recorded an album of the same name (Real Book), with the picture of a well-worn, coffee-stained Real Book on the cover.
In 1978 Swallow became an essential and constant member of Carla Bley's band. He toured extensively with John Scofield in the early 1980s, and has returned to this collaboration several times over the years.
Swallow has consistently won the electric bass category in Down Beat magazine's yearly polls, both Critics' and Readers' polls, since the mid-80s. His compositions have been covered by, among others, Jim Hall (who recorded his very first tune, "Eiderdown"), Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Stan Getz and Gary Burton.
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Steve Swallow Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Steve Swallow:
Home Home, everybody wants to go home Even when they're old Even …
I'll Remember April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodby…
Midnight It came upon the midnight clear That glorious song of old Fr…
Remember This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodby…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Ian Cannon
Thank you for the morning lesson Steve. I recall that lick in the bass line in “Heatwave” by a Linda Rhonstadt. Keep these great videos coming- you have a gift as a teacher!
Steve Burke
Thank you so much, Ian! I appreciate the support and I'm glad you found it useful!
SweetEgg
Cool lesson, I like your style. Jazz concepts can often seem overwhelming so showing how small simple idea holds many different applications is a great way to teach
Steve Burke
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you dig it
Scott's Bass Lessons
Great vid! :)
Steve Burke
Much appreciated!
Jon-Inge Paulsen
Very good lesson! Absolutely one of Swallow's trademarks!
About the pick, these days Swallow uses picks by BlueChip. Apparently the Jazz50LG 😉
Steve Burke
Thanks for sharing! Where did you learn that Steve uses Blue Chips?
Nairi Bass Academy
Thank you very much for this great video 😊 I enjoyed it and I learned new trick I'm gonna use in my playing 🙂
Magic Music
Thank you Steve! Amazing lesson!