Wil Swindler, originally from Central Texas, began studying music at age 5 and picked up the saxophone at age 9. He earned a B.M. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 2001 where he played in, composed for, and recorded with the 1:00 Lab Band. In Sept 2001, Wil relocated to New York City, where he played with Toshiko Akiyoshi and Bill Warfield's NY Fusion Ensemble among others. During his time in New York, Wil studied saxophone and composition with Dave Pietro, Michael Abene, and Jim McNeely. Following a move back to his hometown of Austin, TX in 2003, Wil co-founded the 10-pc Chamber Jazz Ensemble and served as musical director for vocalist Kevin Ahart. He has lived in Colorado since March 2006 where he plays with the 9th and Lincoln Orchestra, the Colorado Jazz Orchestra, Onda and leads his own groups the Wil Swindler Quartet and Wil Swindler's Elevenet. He also is the recipient of the Gil Evans Fellowship from IAJE for 2008. Drawing inspiration from jazz greats Cannonball Adderley, Gil Evans, John Coltrane, and others, as well as modern musicians from Chris Potter and Maria Schneider to Bjork, Wil performs and composes out of a belief that art-music is an essential component of modern life that enriches our culture and our lives as individuals . . . well, that, and the fact that it's really fun.

~ . . . Wil Swindler's "Vantages," [was] the most compelling orchestral work on the program. . . . Swindler handled the orchestra with surprising fluency. . . . providing a first-class workout for the ensemble.

~ The Chamber Jazz Ensemble is definitely one of those hidden musical treasures that’s out there waiting for you to find, listen and enjoy as thoroughly as I did. Wil Swindler . . . [has] sculpted an exciting and impressive album with fine charts and excellent musicianship from a classy group of unheralded players who make this recording a pleasure to hear.

~ Every chart on this album is a carefully crafted work of art. The orchestration is spot on, and the writing is cutting edge.