Dave Swanson

Dave Swanson grew up in the wilds of Northwestern Pennsylvania. His musical career actually began with singing and piano playing, but after being switched from the trumpet in the 7th grade, he was hooked on the tuba. He was greatly influenced by three other famous Pennsylvania tuba players, Dan Perantoni, Jim Self (who he later studied with) and Alan Baer (a high school rival who he always sat second chair to). He holds degrees from Pennsylvania Western University Clarion (formerly Clarion University of Pennsylvania) and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

He then joined the United States Air Force Band and became a worldwide US musical ambassador, performing in 42 states and 37 foreign countries. Thousands of ceremonies and performances for all branches of the US military, and public concerts in the US and Europe culminated a 21 year career at 4 different bases. He performed for seven US presidents and many government dignitaries, including foreign royalty and heads of state. He has multiple band recordings, including two with brass quintet, from his time in the Air Force, and he’s worked with artists like Arturo Sandoval, Chuck Berry, the Supremes, Fred Mills, and Ronald Romm.

After the Air Force, Dave moved to Kansas and began freelancing in the Kansas City area, as well as building pipe organs for the world renowned Reuter Pipe Organ Company. During this time, he started forming the idea of what would become Zen Brass. A passionate chamber musician, he dreamed of forming a brass ensemble that was different than the rest. Armed with skills as a arranger and transcriber, he set out to find different entertaining, uplifting, and emotionally stimulating music that could show off not just the bold and fun styles typically associated with brass playing, but the intricacies of great and beautiful chamber music not normally heard from small brass ensembles. Motivated by longtime friend and trumpet player Rich Rulli, he gathered five other amazing players, and Zen Brass was formed.

Currently Dave can be heard performing a wide variety of music throughout the Kansas City area. He recently began teaching tuba students of all ages, and continues to arrange and transcribe the best music possible for Zen Brass.