The roots of Jack Swift stretch in many different directions, and good roots are the secret to any good new music. All of the different members of Jack Swift bring something different to the band. The roots of the band are in jazz, rock, blues, folk, bluegrass, and even drum line.

All of this comes together to make an interesting new music, one that mixes experimentation in lyrics and experimentation in music, an experimentation that challenges tradition and popular music.


Jack Swift currently is:

JC-Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Chris-Drums, and other percussion
Ben-Bass
Darrlye- Alto Saxophone
Tom-Trumpet
Pat- Keys


Jack Swift started in 2006 at the Rochester Insitute of Technology as a duet of JC and Darryle. After winning RIT's "Tiger Idol" talent show competition, Jack Swift was formed with Tim George (Tenor Sax), Chris, and Ben when we headlined for a Business Leaders of Tomorrow fundraiser concert in early 2007. Jack Swift started getting more gigs around RIT with Block Parties and House Parties. Then Jack Swift started playing at more charity events such as Brickstock, and Emerging Black Artists.

In August of 2008, Jack Swift recorded their first EP. This 40 minute, 6 song, demo was recorded in three recording sessions at the River Bottom Studios, in Rochester, by Matt Klock.

The six songs featured on the EP are:

1. Better Stay Away From Him
2. Out With The Old
3. Jack Be Nimble
4. Caught In A Muse
5. Aim Right
6. l'Homme de l'Eau

At the start of 2009 Jack Swift started playing out in bars and larger music venues such as Water Street Music Hall, The Western New York Performing Arts Center, and the Lilac Festival. In late May 2009, Jack Swift went on their first tour, the "You Don't Know Jack Tour Spectacular." This tour took them all around the Northeast and to the cities of Philly, Toms River, Cleveland, and Buffalo, along with cities and towns in between. The 19 show tour ended in Rochester on July 2, 2009.