Neil Swainson was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on November 15, 1955. He gained his first professional experience in the Victoria area, working with local bands. He began working with Paul Horn in 1975, and played in his band for two years. As well, he backed up such musicians as Barney Kessell, Herb Ellis, and Sonny Stitt. Neil moved to Vancouver in 1976, and in 1977 to Toronto, which has become his home.
Since then he has been very active in the local jazz scene, playing with such artists as Moe Koffman, Ed Bickert, and Rob McConnell. He has also played with many visiting jazz artists, to name a few: James Moody, George Coleman, Jay McShann, Tommy Flanagan, Lee Konitz, Joe Farrell, Slide Hampton, and Woody Shaw. His playing with Woody Shaw extended beyond Canada; Neil worked numerous times in
New York, and did several tours of Europe with Woody. Neil has also appeared on two Woody Shaw records: "Solid" (Muse 5329) and "In My Own Sweet Way" (In & Out 7003). In 1986 Neil began working with George Shearing from time to time, until 1988 when they began working together full time, a relationship that continues today. Since then he has traveled virtually worldwide, playing in Japan, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, and all across North America. Neil has made numerous recordings with George Shearing, including: "Dexterity", "A Perfect Match" (with Ernestine Anderson) (on Concord Jazz label), "I Hear a Rhapsody", "Walkin'", "How Beautiful is Night", "That Shearing Sound", and "Paper Moon" (on Telarc). In 1989 Neil's own recording "49th Parallel" was released (Concord Jazz 4396), featuring Woody Shaw on trumpet, and Joe Henderson on saxophone. Neil continues to compose and record his original music with JMOG, a cooperative band, also featuring Don Thompson, Pat LaBarbera, and Joe LaBarbera. Several of Neil's compositions appear on recordings by other artists, including George Shearing.
Neil has also worked with a number of other artists such as Jay McShann, Doc Cheatham, Geoff Keezer, Lorne Lofsky, and Kirk MacDonald. Three recordings on which he plays have won Canada's Juno Award: Jon Ballantyne's "Skydance" (Justin Time 302), P.J. Perry's "My Ideal" (Unity 128), and "Free Trade", a cooperative band featuring Rene Rosnes (Justin Time 64-2).
Neil continues to freelance extensively in the Toronto area. He is also a member of the Rob McConnell Trio, and the Kirk MacDonald - Lorne Lofsky Quartet.
