Jacob Swanson

Hailed as a “soloist with impeccable taste,” and praised by audiences and composers for his "gorgeous, lyrical tone, spectacular technique, and heartfelt musicality ..." for presenting "the soprano saxophone at the height of its beauty," Jacob Swanson has performed throughout North America and Europe on concert series, television, and radio.
Swanson performs regularly as member of the Decho Ensemble, which he co-founded in 2011 with long-time collaborator Sarah Marchitelli. Their repertoire includes established works for saxophone, transcriptions, and new works written expressly for their ensemble. In addition to their all-saxophone programming, the Decho Ensemble has collaborated with vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, poets, composers, and orchestras presenting highly varied programs. In August 2016 Swanson participated in a residency as member of the Decho Ensemble as guest of the NyMusikks Komponistgruppe in Oslo, Norway. With Decho he completed residencies at Mercyhurst University and University of Idaho at Moscow in 2019 and in early 2020 a residency at San Jose State University as a soloist. Swanson also performs as member of the Megalopolis Saxophone Orchestra and the Resonance Saxophone Orchestra.
Swanson's debut album, Invisible Cities, featured works for soprano saxophone and piano (James Welch) and was met with critical acclaim for "remind[ing] us what a  beautiful instrument the soprano saxophone is ... [performing with] handsome tone, flawless technique, and great musical sensibilities."-ClevelandClassical His second album, wired., featured music for soprano saxophone and electronic medium - nearly all composer/performer collaborations. Swanson has additionally recorded with Andrew Cote as part of his debut album, Ulterior Motives. His 2020 solo digital recital "music for saxophone alone" was shot in the Historic Gowanda Hollywood Theater and met with positive reception from critics, composers, and an international audience.

Swanson performs on American Buescher saxophones ca. 1930's, is a LefreQue artist, and is a Vandoren Artist Clinician.