Neil James Sinclair Swainson[1] (born November 15, 1955) is a Canadian jazz bassist. Swainson started his career in Victoria, British Columbia, when he supported visiting American musicians such as Herb Ellis, Barney Kessell, and Sonny Stitt.[2] In 1976 he moved to Vancouver after playing with the Paul Horn Quintet and leading a band for two years. He moved to Toronto in 1977.[3]
A collaboration between Swainson and pianist George Shearing would form in 1986, after Swainson replaced Don Thompson in 1988. This relationship continued until Shearing's passing in 2011. They have travelled playing all across North America, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan. They played with musicians including Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Diana Krall, Robert Farnon and Mel Tormé.[6] Together the two made numerous recordings which include: A Perfect Match (with Ernestine Anderson, (Concord Jazz 4357), Dexterity (Concord Jazz 4346),[7]Mel & George "do" World War II (Concord Jazz 4471), I Hear a Rhapsody (Telarc 83310), How Beautiful is Night (with Robert Farnon, Telarc 83325), Walkin' (Telarc 83333), That Shearing Sound (Telarc 83347),[8]Joe Williams: A Song Is Born and Paper Moon (Telarc 83375).
Swainson has recently toured worldwide with singer Roberta Gambarini and with pianist Gene DiNovi in Japan. He recorded So In Love (Marshmallow MYCJ30118) and Golden Earrings (Marshmallow MYCJ30185) and recorded Smile (Five Stars Records FSY-501) and Gene DiNovi at Red Brick Warehouse Live in Yokohama (Marshmallow MMEX-103).[3] Swainson now works at Humber College (Lakeshore Campus) as a professor in the Bass department after receiving a music degree. He also continues to compose music and freelance in Toronto.[11]
