Biography of Duncan Swift

Pianist Duncan Swift was born in Rotherham Yorkshire in 1943. He was classically trained, gaining two diplomas and a degree at The Birmingham School of Music. He played in many jazz bands throughout the Midlands on both piano and trombone. He swiftly gained recognition for his almost unique ability to combine a dazzling technique with an innate jazz feel and the unbridled, infectious enthusiasm of a life long jazz lover.

The first band he joined on any permanant basis was the Cheltenham based Bill Niles Delta Jazzmen, who enjoyed a wide reputation for their high musical ability. Duncan also taught and lectured in schools and colleges for some 10 years before joining Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen with whom he stayed from 1977 until 1983.

Deciding to relax and take stock for a while, Duncan bought a public house in Bewdley which he ran for three and a half years, before deciding that the time was right to make a full-time return to the world of jazz.

Duncan Swift is the finest exponent extant of the great and exciting tradition of Harlem Stride piano in style of Willie 'The Lion' Smith and James P. Johnson.

Duncan Swift has appeared worldwide on nearly 70 radio and 130 TV broadcasts. His first solo album 'Out Looking For The Lion' was released to critical acclaim in August 1988 on Big Bear Records.