Steve Swell

Steve Swell is an American trombonist, composer and educator, born in Newark, New Jersey. A central presence in New York's improvised-music scene since the mid-1970s, he has played in both jazz and freely improvised contexts while developing a highly individual approach to trombone articulation, register and timbre.

His work includes collaborations with Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, William Parker, Bill Dixon, Peter Brötzmann and many other improvisers. Alongside performing and recording, Swell has led workshops and taught music in New York public schools. His Creative Sources participation is documented on Dark Forces (CS195), connecting his work to the label's broad international catalogue of improvised music.