A Californian native, Mr. Swanson received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of the Pacific and his Master’s Degree in Performance from The Catholic University in Washington, DC.

As member of the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, DC for 26 years he performed as a trombonist and soloist with the Concert Band, led the Brass Quintet, and served as the National Tour Director for its six performing units. In 1975-1976 he toured with the Armed Forces Bicentennial Band where he met his wife Ingrid, a horn instrumentalist. He has performed in every state in the U.S. on national tours as well as numerous performances in the Washington, DC area.

As a freelance musician, he has performed with musicians from the National Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Fairfax Symphony. He performed regularly in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area in local orchestras, dance bands, brass ensembles, and in recording studios.

After retiring from the Navy in 1996 he moved to Kingman, AZ to teach music on the Hualapai Reservation in Peach Springs. He has also taught band for the Mohave Community College, conducted the Kingman Concert Band for 12 years, and conducts the Lake Havasu Regional Orchestra and the Mohave Community Orchestra. Mr. Swanson toured for six years with the 1940’s revue “In The Mood”, toured China with the Mantovani Orchestra and recently performed at the Prescott Jazz Summit.