Jazz Saxophonist, Arranger, Composer, Educator

Kaleb Swedlund is a 22-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. At CCM, he appeared onstage alongside artists Tammy McCann, Ashlin Parker, Tamir Hendelman, Ari Hoenig, Tony Kadleck, Brad Goode, and Ernie Watts. 

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.

In the transition from high school to college, Kaleb decided to sharpen his skills as an improviser and an artist. Through the guidance of Professor 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. 

Currently, he is an arranger, composer, and artist alongside local groups such as Zoe and the Porktown Hustlers and Andrew Moore & Hooch. In addition, Kaleb also plays a supportive role as a sideman with indie rock groups such as Zach & Henny and in the entertainment band, The Blue Water Kings. 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.