Kaleb Swedlund

Kaleb Swedlund is a 23-year-old jazz saxophonist from Dayton, Ohio. He has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he studied under Craig Bailey, Dr. Sergio Pamies, and Dr. Scott Belck.

Kaleb’s love for music started long before his time in university. His parents claim that as an infant, the only way to soothe him was by playing a recording of Bach’s concertos. At age two, he began studying the piano and organ. In the following years, he continued classical piano studies and took up the guitar. At 11 years old, he found his love for wind instruments when he started playing clarinet in his fifth grade band. A year later, he picked up the saxophone and hasn’t put it down since.

After discovering jazz at a junior high summer intensive, Kaleb would meet local saxophone legend, Hal Melia, who became his mentor for the next five years. Under Hal’s tutelage, Kaleb began to craft his own approach to the saxophone. By his senior year of high school, Kaleb was proficient in the clarinet, bass clarinet, and alto saxophone, sitting first chair for each in various ensembles.

Through college, Kaleb sharpened his skills as an improviser and an artist. Through the guidance of saxophonist Craig Bailey, he continued to develop his personal sound and unique approach to music. Being immersed in Cincinnati’s vibrant jazz scene helped Kaleb to actualize his versatility as a modern musician. 

Kaleb will soon debut his up-and-coming project: Geometric Delusion, a collection of original music heavily influenced by his inpirators: Tigran Hamasyan, Javier Santiago, Tennyson, Frank Zappa, and Hiatus Kaiyote.

In addition, Kaleb also plays a supportive role as a sideman with local groups such as the Chaya Jones Experience and the Ben Troyer Group. Kaleb’s dream is to further his career and education outside of Cincinnati, and experience a thriving arts culture in a larger city such as New York or Chicago.