Dave Swift

Dave Swift
Background information
Born (1964-01-11) January 11, 1964
Wolverhampton
England
Genres Jazz, Ska, Reggae, Funk, Rock, Pop, Blues, R&B, Soul
Occupation(s) Musician, bassist, music educator
Instruments double bass, bass guitar, trombone
Years active 1982–present
Associated acts Jools Holland
Website daveswiftbass.com
Known for Later… with Jools Holland (on BBC2)
& The Jools Holland Show (on BBC Radio 2)
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)

Dave Swift (born 11 January 1964) is a British bassist. He is best known for his work on the BBC2 Television program Later... with Jools Holland as part of Jools's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Early Life and Education

Born in Wolverhampton, England, Swift's musical experience began in the local school choir and church as a singer. Throughout his childhood Swift was exposed to the acoustic guitar, which both of his brothers played in trio’s childhood home. His musical interest piqued, Swift was fourteen when he decided to take up the trombone at school. In his hometown, the demand for bassists was on the rise, and Swift volunteered to join local bands. Swift's trombone teacher saw how quickly Swift progressed on bass guitar and encouraged him to also pursue the double bass, knowing that Swift would benefit from the ability to play both instruments as a professional musician.

Swift turned professional aged 18. As a highly skilled sight-reader, and being well acclimatised to each of his three instruments, he became a session bassist in and around the Midlands. In 1988 Swift moved to London and quickly became involved in the session and jazz scene.

Professional career

In 1991 Swift heard that Jools Holland, ex-Squeeze keyboardist and TV presenter, was searching for a bassist who played both double bass and bass guitar. With the renowned bassist Pino Palladino then holding the “bass chair” in Holland’s band, this was a bold move on the young bassist’s part. The advantage from Dave’s position was that he also played double bass and was already highly skilled in sight-reading. Swift auditioned, was hired on the spot, and has been Jools's bassist ever since.

Thanks to his talent and growing popularity, Swift is often invited at shows and camps. Recently, Swift was invited to appear at the annual Warwick Bass Camp in Germany in 2016 as a VIP guest, along with numerous popular bass luminaries from all over the world. The 2016 Warwick Bass Cam was held in Markeneukirchen, Germany, and had a roster of outstanding bassists. Attending professors included Alphonso Johnson, Felix Pastorius, Anthony Wellington and Steve Bailey. Swift was also a guest lecturer at the March 2016 Bass Guitar Show at Earls Court Olympia that filled the room to capacity.

Swift is still an in-demand session musician outside of Holland’s band and has also played double bass for American soul singer Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King and on ex-Kinks frontman Ray Davies's album “Other People's Lives”.

As one of the leading bassists in the UK, Swift is part of many projects. He had a notable appearance in Thomas Solomon Gray’s debut album called “New Beginnings” which was released in 2015 and featured critically acclaimed musicians, Ivo Neame (piano) and Mike Outram (guitar).

Swift has played with Alexander Armstrong and his Band, who toured the UK in the autumn of 2013. In January and February 2016 and they completed another successful tour.

Swift made has a number of TV appearances throughout the years, including on ITV's This Morning show. He is an active online educator and has recently become associated with LeanMusician.com, a platform focused on providing support to practicing musicians, directed by Thomas Solomon Gray and Jack Vaughan.

Since joining Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Swift has played at many prestigious events, including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Dubai International Jazz Festival, Blue Note Tokyo, Amnesty International, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Glastonbury Festival and the G8 conference for world leaders including Tony Blair and Bill Clinton. Swift has notably played for Her Majesty the Queen at the Millennium Night celebration, Millennium Dome. The orchestra also played a sold-out gig at the Sydney Opera House during their 2008 tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Radio, Film and Television

Swift was the house bassist for the primetime Saturday night Chris Evans's TV show 'Don't Forget Your Toothbrush', 'Name That Tune' on Channel 5. Since 1991 he has featured as house bassist on the hugely popular and long-running TV show ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ on BBC2. The band continues to tour both nationally and internationally.

Swift currently performs on 'The Jools Holland Show', a popular BBC Radio 2 program. Swift and Jools appeared on the front cover in the June 2016 issue of the popular British publication “Bass Guitar Magazine”. This feature was Dave’s fourth interview in the magazine and his second cover feature.

During his time with Holland, Swift has played on several British movie soundtracks including: Secret Friends (Dennis Potter), MILK (Dawn French), Kevin and Perry Go Large (Harry Enfield, Cathy Burke), and Hunting Venus (Martin Clunes).

Most recently, Swift played bass on the soundtrack to the period drama ‘Me & Orson Welles’ (starring Zac Efron, Christian McKay and Claire Danes). The period drama, set in 1937, features Swift and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra making an on-screen appearance as a dance band in the ballroom scene.

The band have both played on and appeared in several TV commercials, including two for Bell's whisky. Swift was also the house bassist on the Johnny Vaughan Tonight series on BBC Three.

Current projects

Since August 2016, Swift has been supporting up and coming UK artist Georgia Crandon, (aka Georgia) whose music is best categorised as retro jazz and swing. Swift continues to be an in-demand session musician, bass clinician and music educator.

Equipment

Dunlop:
Bass Guitar strings, picks & MXR Pedals:
http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/super-bright-nickel
http://www.jimdunlop.com/products/guitar-picks
http://www.jimdunlop.com/search?q=MXR+Pedal&x=0&y=0

Mono:
Bass cases, straps & backpack ‘flyby’:
http://monocreators.com/bassist/
http://monocreators.com/the-flyby/

John East – Pre amps:
http://www.east-uk.com/index.php/bass.html
http://www.east-uk.com/index.php/bass/p-retro/p-retro.html

Fishman:
Double bass pickup ‘full circle pickup’ & Platinum Pro EQ Analog Pre amp:
http://www.fishman.com/products/series/classic/fullcircleuprightbasspickup.php
http://www.fishman.com/products/series/platinum/platinumpro.php

Aguilar – Amp, Pickups:
DB751 amp, DB410 cabinet (touring rig):
http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_amplifiers_db751.htm
http://www.aguilaramp.com/cabinet_colors.htm

Tone hammer 500 Amp
Two SL 112’s cabinets (studio set-up):
http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_amplifiers_TH500.htm
http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_cabinets_SL112.htm

Pirastro:
Make and provide all of Dave’s double bass strings:
http://www.pirastro.com/public_pirastro/pages/en/Evah-Pirazzi-00006/
http://www.pirastro.com/public_pirastro/pages/en/Eudoxa-00006/
http://www.pirastro.com/public_pirastro/pages/en/Oliv-00006/
http://www.pirastro.com/public_pirastro/pages/en/Evah-Pirazzi-Slap/

JuleAmps:
Monique all valve preamp/ DI
http://juleamps.com/shop/viewitem.php?productid=8

Porter and Davis:
KT (Kinetic transfer) platform
http://www.porteranddavies.co.uk/KTPOverviewPage.html

DPA Microphones:
Double Bass Mic
http://www.dpamicrophones.com/microphones/dvote/4099b-instrument-microphone-for-bass

The Bass Centre:
Cables
http://www.basscentre.com/bass-centre-bass-cables.html

Endorsements

Amongst many other household names, Swift has endorsements from popular brands such as Ibanez & Sadowsky (main bass guitars) and Aguilar (amplification).

Collaboration Portfolio

As Jools Holland’s bassist, Swift is arguably the UK’s highest profile bassist, having accompanied:

ANJANI
Adele
Al Green
Al Jarreau
Albert Hammond
Albert Lee
Alexander Armstrong
Alexander O’Neal
Alison Moyet
All Saints
Allen Toussaint
Amy Winehouse
Andrew Roachford (Roachford)
Andreya Triana
Andy Bell
Andy Fairweather-Low
Andy Williams
Angie Stone
Annie Lennox
Axel Zwingenberger
BB King
Badly Drawn Boy
Barry White
Belinda Carlisle
Ben E. King
Beth Hart
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Betty Wright
Bettye Lavette
Beverly Knight
Big Joe Lewis
Billy Bragg
Billy J Kramer
Billy Preston
Blind Boys of Alabama
Bob Geldof
Bob Stanley
Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream)
Bobby Whitlock
Bobby Womack
Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Tyler
Bono
Boy George
Boz Boorer
Boz Scaggs
Brian Eno
Bryan Adams
Bryan Ferry
Bryn Terfel
Buddy Greco
Buddy Guy
Candi Staton
Candy Dulfer
Carla Dillon
Carlene Anderson
Carmel
Caro Emerald
Carol Decker
Cassandra Wilson
Cathal Smyth
Cee Lo Green
Cerys Matthews (Catatonia)
Chaka Khan
Charles and Eddie
Charlie Musselwhite
Charlie Watts
Charlie Wilson (The Gap Band)
Charlie Winston
Charlie Wood
Charlotte Church
Chas Hodges
Chaz Jankel
Cher
Chris Barber
Chris Difford
Chris Rea
Chris Spedding
Chrissie Hynde
Clare Teal
Claudia Brucken
Clean Bandit
Corinne Bailey Rae
Courtney Pine
Craig David
Curtis Stigers
Cyndi Lauper
Dame Cleo Laine
Damon Albarn
Daniel Merriweather
Darrel Higham
Dave Edmunds
Dave Gilmour
David Gray
David McAlmont
David Sanborn
Dawn Penn
Dennis Greaves & Mark Feltham (Nine Below Zero)
Desmond Dekker
Desree
Dianne Reeves
Digby Fairweather
Dion
Dionne Warwick
Donovan
Dr John
Dr Robert (The Blow Monkeys)
Duffy
Eartha Kitt
Ed Sheeran
Eddi Reader
Eddie Floyd
Edwin Starr
Edwyn Collins
Eliza Carthy
Elkie Brooks
Ellie Goulding
Elvis Costello
Emeli Sande
Eric Bibb
Eric Clapton
Ethan Johns
Five
Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine)
Fran Healy (Travis)
Gabrielle
Gabrielle Aplin
Gary Brooker
Gary Numan
George Benson
George Harrison
George Melly
Georgie Fame
Gilbert O’Sullivan
Glen Matlock
Glenn Tilbrook
Graham Coxon
Graham Gouldman
Green Gartside (Scritti Politti)
Gregg Allman (The Allman Brothers)
Gregory Porter
Gretchen Peters
Guy Barker
Guy Garvey
Hall and Oates
Hamish Stuart
Harry Shearer
Heather Small
Herb Alpert
Herbert Gronemeyer
Hollie Cook
Holly Johnson
Holly Williams
Hozier
Hue and Cry
Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals)
Hugh Cornwell
Ian Hunter
Imelda May
India Arie
Irma Thomas
Jack Bruce
Jack Savoretti
Jamelia
James Bay
James Blunt
James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers)
James Hunter
James Morrison
Jamie Cullum
Jamiroquai
Jeff Beck
Jess Glynne
Jesse Dee
Jessie J
Jewel
Jim Kerr (Simple Minds)
Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Ruffin
Jimmy Scott
Jimmy Somerville
Joe Bonamassa
Joe Brown
Joe Cocker
Joe Strummer
John Cale
John Cooper Clarke
John Newman
John Prine
Johnny Dankworth
Joss Stone
Juan Zelada
Judie Tzuke
Julian Joseph
Julian Lennon Charlie Wood
Julio Iglesias
Justin Hayward
KT Tunstall
Kacey Musgraves
Kandace Spring
Karl Wallinger
Kate Dimbleby
Kate Rusby
Katie Melua
Kelly Jones (Stereophonics)
Kenny Ball
Kenny Lynch
Kevin Rowland
Kiki Dee
Kirk Brandon
Kirsty MacColl
Kylie
Ladyva
Larry McCray
Laura Mvula
Lee Thompson (Madness)
Lemmy
Leo Sayer
Levi Roots
Lianne La Havas
Lily Allen
Linnets
Lionel Richie
Lisa Stansfield
Little Big Town
Lonnie Donegan
Lou Rhodes
Louise Marshall
Lucie Skeaping
Lulu
Maceo Parker
Macy Gray
Madeline Peyroux
Manfred Mann
Marc Almond
Marcella Detroit (Shakespears Sister)
Mari Wilson
Marianne Faithfull
Mark Knopfler
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Martin Carthy
Martin Simpson
Martine McCutcheon
Marty Pellow (Wet Wet Wet)
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary J Blige
Mavis Staples
Max Richter
Melanie C
Mica Paris
Michael McDonald
Mick Hucknall
Micky Dolenz
Midge Ure
Mika
Mike Batt
Mike McGear
Mike Rutherford
Mike Sanchez
Mike Scott (Waterboys)
Mutya Buena (ex Sugababes)
Natasha Kahn (Bat For Lashes)
Neil Sedaka
Nerina Pallot
Nick Cave
Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
Nicola Benedetti
Nik Kershaw
Nitin Sawhney
Noel Gallagher
Norah Jones
Paloma Faith
Paolo Nutini
Paul Carrack
Paul Heaton & David Rotheray (The Beautiful South)
Paul Jones
Paul McCartney
Paul Rodgers
Paul Simon
Paul Weller
Paul Young
Pauline Black & Gaps Hendrickson (The Selector)
Paulo Nutini
Pete Molinari
Pete Wylie
Peter Gabriel
Petula Clark
Phil Collins
Phil Manzanera
Phil May
Pops Staples
Prince Buster
Proclaimers
Raul Malo
Ray Davies
Ray Lamontagne
Rhiannon Giddens
Richard Hawley
Richard Thompson
Rick Astley
Rick Wakeman
Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue)
Ringo Starr
Robert Palmer
Robert Plant
Rod Argent & Colin Blunstone (The Zombies)
Roger Cicero
Roger Daltrey
Roger McGough
Roisin Murphy (Moloko)
Roland Gift
Ron Sexsmith
Ronnie Spector
Ronnie Wood
Rosanne Cash
Roy Wood
Ruby Turner
Rumer
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Sam Brown
Sam Moore
Sam Sparro
Sandie Shaw
Seasick Steve
Secret Sisters
Seth Lakeman
Shaggy
Shakin' Stevens
Shane MacGowan
Sharleen Spiteri (Texas)
Shaun Ryder
Sheryl Crow
Shingai Shoniwa (Noisettes)
Simon Le Bon
Skunk Anansie
Smokey Robinson
Solomon Burke
Squeeze
Steve Cradock
Steve Earle
Steve Harley
Steve Winwood
Sting
Sugababes
Suggs
Taj Mahal
Tanita Tikaram
Teddy Thompson
Terri Walker
The Common
The Finn Brothers
The Shires
The Staves
Thomas Solomon Gray
Tim Finn
Tom Jones
Tommy Scott (SPACE)
Tony Christie
Tony Hadley
Toots Hibbert (Toots and the Maytals)
Tori Amos
Tyler James
Ute Lemper
VV Brown
Van Morrison
Vic & Bob
Vince Gill
Vinnie Jones
Walter Trout
Wanda Jackson
Ward Thomas
William Bell
Wynonie Harris
Wynonna Judd
Zoe Rahmen

Discography

References

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