Travis Swanson

Travis Swanson is a guitarist, composer, and educator currently based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Originally from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, he did his undergraduate studies at Northern Michigan University, and his graduate studies at the University of Michigan where he studied with Miles Okazaki, Andrew Bishop, Ed Sarath, and Robert Hurst. Prior to his graduate degree, Swanson spent his early twenties living in Los Angeles, Austin, and Memphis where he garnered recognition in the blues and R&B world touring extensively around the United States and Europe. 

After his graduate studies, Swanson has continued to learn and grow. He recorded an album as part of the Deep Stare entitled ‘Clarity in Chaos’, which featured a number of his compositions, and is currently putting together material for a new album. Besides performing, Swanson is also deeply involved as an educator and has recently taken a position at Western Michigan University as the new guitar instructor. Swanson’s interests musically range from contemporary classical, to classic country, and jazz. When asked to name his biggest influences he said, “Monk, Trane, Bach, Fugazi, and Hank Williams”. This sort of wide ranging view point led music journalist Tom Hyslop to describe Swanson’s music as, “American Music with Power, Grace, and Authority”. Currently, Swanson is working on a new multiple release project entitled, “Lineage”, which will feature several albums worth of material being released with his trio. 

Besides musical pursuits, Swanson is an avid runner, having run numerous trail marathons and ultra-marathons. When he’s not practicing, performing, or running, he loves to spend time with his wife and four-year old daughter.