Biography
Bassist, multi-instrumentalist and composer and the newest member of the MU Jazz Faculty. Since finishing his BFA in Jazz Studies at MU (‘18) and his MM in Jazz Pedagogy at WVU (‘20), Lars has become a load-bearing fixture in the regional music scene. He performs regularly with Chance McCoy (formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show), Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. (America’s Got Talent), and his old-time group, Long Point String Band. Lars has played gigs with Delfeayo Marsalis, Tamir Hendelman, Freda Payne, Rufus Reid, Bob Thompson, Craig Davis, Tim O’Brien, Shawn Camp, and countless other artists and organizations as a long time first-call substitute musician. Lars is an avid recording musician; you can hear a sample of his playing on Spotify playlist “Lars On The Track.” He is an active arranger, doing arrangements for Voices of Classic Soul, John Inghram, a new theater piece Down In The Holler, and productions of the WV Collective. Prof. Swanson works hard to engage his local community as music director for the arts organization WV Collective, based out of Beckley, WV. He also works with Pittsburgh, PA concert hall and jazz record label Manchester Craftsman’s Guild on their outreach component, spreading knowledge of jazz to thousands of students in Tucker, Randolph, and Lewis counties. As newly appointed Tour Manager of Long Point String Band, Lars has secured grant funding through Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation for community outreach initiatives and performances within the Mid-Atlantic region.