Biography: John Swana is one of the most exciting trumpeters to arrive for a decade," declares Mark Gardner, co-author of Blackwell's Guide to Recorded Jazz. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, Swana took up Trumpet at the age of 11. He was drawn to jazz at the age of 17 after hearing Dizzy Gillespie, and the interest developed into a passion while he was in college. There he began transcribing the solos of Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, and Tom Harrell. Swana has performed and toured with the Mingus Big Band. He has also played with well known jazz names such as Don Patterson, Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker, Stanley Turrentine, Harold Mabern, Cecil Payne, Johnny Coles, Ralph Peterson, Charles Fambrough, Bobby Watson, Trudy Pitts, Bootsie Barnes, Craig Handy, Chris Potter, Stephen Scott, Tim Warfield, Eric Alexander, Sam Newsome, Brad Mehldau,Vincent Herring, Uri Caine, Tim Armacost, Peter Leitch, Peter Bernstein, Ravi Coltrane, Ralph Bowen, Terrel Stafford, Seamus Blake, and Robin Eubanks. He has also been heard with Freddie Hubbard, Phil Woods, Ronnie Cuber, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Clark Terry, Frank Foster, John Faddis, Slide Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Bob Minzer, and Charlie Persip. John Swana can be heard on recordings with: Benny Golson, Grover Washington Jr., Charles Fambrough, Craig Handy, Tito Puente, Bill O'Connell, Lenny White, Ricky Sabastian, Marlon Simon, Ed Simon, Dave Valentin, Cafe', Art Webb, Adam Holtzman, Ralph Bowen, Ron Blake, Peter Bernstein, Carl Allen, Mulgrew Miller, Benny Green, Kenny Barron, Tim Warfield, Lewis Nash, Clarence Penn, Kevin Hays, Chris McBride, Uri Caine, Peter Leitch, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Ralph Peterson, Bobby Zankel, and Tom Harrell.

Selected Discography As a Leader... "Introducing John Swana" Features: Benny Green (Piano), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums), and Billy Pierce (tenor sax). "John Swana And Friends" Features: Mulgrew Miller (piano), Ira Coleman (bass), Billy Drummond (drums) Tom Harrell (trumpet), and Billy Pierce (tenor sax). "The Feelings Mutual" Features: Steve Giordano (guitar), Dave Posmontier (B-3 Organ), Billy Drummond (drums), and Chris Potter (Tenor sax, soprano sax, and alto flute). "In The Moment" Features: Kenny Barren (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums), Steve Davis(Trombone), and Eric Alexander (tenor sax). "Philly-New York Junction John Swana-Joe Magnarelli Sextet" Features: Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Joe Magnarelli (trumpet), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums), and Joel Weiskopf (piano). "Tug of War" Features: Chris Potter (tenor sax, soprano sax, and alto flute), Byron Landham (drums), David Hazeltine (piano), and Dwayne Burno (bass). "Philly Gumbo" Features: Bootsie Barnes (tenor sax), Byron Landham (drums), Sid Simmons (piano), and Mike Boone (bass). "On Target" Features: John Patitucci (bass), Jesse van Ruller (guitar), and Eric Harland (drums) As a Sideman... Charles Fambrough: "Keeper of the Spirit" Audio Quest Records "City Tribes" Evidence Records "Escue" A group colaboration on K-Jazz "The K-Jazz Allstars" K-Jazz Peter Leitch: "Trio/Quartet 91" Concord Records Chris Potter: "Presenting Chris Potter" Criss Cross Jazz Eric Alexander: "New York Calling" Criss Cross Jazz "Full Range" Criss Cross Jazz Mike Boone: "Better Late Then Never" "Old Head" Benny Golson: "Brown Immortal" Key'Stone Bobby Zankel: "Prayer and Action" Creative Improvised Music Projects Clarence Penn: "Penn's Landing" Criss Cross Jazz "Play-Penn" Criss Cross Jazz Pete Smyser: "Out of Nowhere" "The Scene is Clean" Orrin Evans: "Justin Time" Criss Cross Jazz Jimmy Greene: "Introducing Jimmy Greene" Criss Cross Jazz Joel Weiskoph: "New Beginning" Criss Cross Jazz Ralph Bowen: "Soul Proprietor" Criss Cross Joe Magnarelli: "New York-Philly Junction" Criss Cross

Equipment: Trumpet Conn Constellation trumpet 3C Bach mouthpiece. Another instrument I play is a midi instrument called an EVI.EVI stands for Electric Valve Instrument and is made by Nile Steiner. The EVI is a midi controller triggered by breath. It has no sounds of it's own. The EVI sends midi information to one or more synthesizers, and they create the sound. The main synth I use for the EVI is Daves Smith's Evolver. I also use the Nova Novation, and the Yamaha VL70-m. The Evolver is a great desk top synth! And the price is right.Here's a link if you want more info on Dave Smith's Evolver. Check out some mp3s of the Evolver step sequencer: Feedback Tech Childrens Show 70's Rock? Synth Storm! Insects Chase Mystery Ya Got Me Future Feedback Bass 1 Out There!! Bass 2 Determined MoTown Here are a few EVI mp3's using the Evolver. These are taken from compositions of (my friend) Massimo DeAngelis. MoanLike Old Country Distorted Strange solo EVI