Travis Swanson Music

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. 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.

Jazz Tuesdays w/ Travis Swanson, Jordan Richards, Jeff Shoup (6/6/23)

When It’s Time To Say Goodbye

“Porch Vibes”

from “When it’s time to say goodbye”

The title “When It’s Time To Say Goodbye“, has so many personal meanings to me. Firstly, it relates directly to my choice to pursue my own voice on the guitar. During the time these compositions were written, I had returned to Marquette, Michigan in pursuit of finding out who I really was as an artist. This meant trying to make sense of my many interests in music, and more importantly, writing music that was directly influenced by my life.

I wanted to capture my own personal journey in these compositions, and I am proud to say that with the help of my friends Nicholas Bracewell and Aiden Cafferty, we did just that.

Besides relating to my journey on finding my voice, it relates to the challenges we face in our own lives when we find ourselves unsure of our next step. Often times, our fear of the unknown can cripple us, and it leaves us frozen in situations that drain us both physically and mentally. I wanted to capture both the suffering and liberation in making the choice to say goodbye to the familiar and comfortable.

If you are interested in purchasing a digital download of this record, you can follow the link. If you would like to order a physical copy instead, please use the “buy now” button below. Thank you so much for your support in what I feel is only the very beginning of my journey.

 

Digital Download from CD Baby

Digital Download