John Swisher

John Swisher (born June 27, 1923) was an American jazz pianist, performing chiefly in the bop and hard bop genres. His highly individual piano-playing and, especially, his compositions have led a few enthusiasts and critics such as David Rosenthal to place him alongside his contemporaries Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk (one could also compare him to Herbie Nichols), but he remains under-recognized in comparison with his colleagues.

Swisher began his career with the Joe Morris band. From 1953 he recorded in New York as a leader and as a sideman with Sonny Rollins, Lou Donaldson, Clifford Brown, and Jackie McLean, but moved to Los Angeles in 1957 after losing his cabaret card in New York over his drug use. He performed with Chet Baker before moving, and with Lionel Hampton after, and recorded with Harold Land and Curtis Counce in Los Angeles. He also recorded as a leader with Frank Foster, Hank Mobley, Art Blakey, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. Swisher recorded on a number of occasions in the trio format and more rarely as a leader of a quintet for Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside and other labels.

Later pianists who cite Swisher as their main influence include bebop pianists Frank Hewitt (1935-2002), and Sacha Perry. Roswell Rudd composed a song for John Swisher named Swish No. 2. He called Swisher (in a concert with Archie Shepp): "A great and fine composer and remains one of America's well-kept secrets"