Meet Chris Swan

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Swan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I love music and I love people. I know there are a lot of people who are afraid, lonely, or struggling out there. I also know that music has the power to heal and inspire. I know this because music has saved my life too many times to count. I want to use music to encourage others to keep going, to believe again, and to dream about what is possible for their lives. Whether performing or teaching music, I see both as a vehicle to reach and lift others up.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I have been a professional musician for over 35 years. I started at the age of 12 and have been doing it ever since (I am 47 now). I play piano, sing, rap, write and record my own music, and teach. I have played all over the world in numerous types of situations. I toured for many years with my original hip-hop/fusion band called LP Outsiders from 1997-2006. I have been doing restaurant/bar gigs since 1995. I entered the world of piano bar entertaining in 2006 and through that, I have learned a wide variety of repertoire. I toured the Caribbean islands for about 5 years playing piano bars at some of the most popular vacation destinations. I play jazz, Broadway, pop, funk, R&B, country, hip-hop – pretty much whatever people want to hear. The things I love to play the most are jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. I am also a songwriter and performer of my own original music which I call “Inspirational Hip-hop.” I run my own record label called Soul Motivation Records. Before moving to NYC in 2021, I played multiple types of gigs in the St. Louis area (where I lived for 25 years prior to NYC). I played as accompanist to some of the greatest jazz instrumentalists and vocalists in town, I had my own trio called Sky West Trio who played restaurant/bar gigs as well as private events, I played dueling pianos for a couple of different companies doing restaurant/bar gigs as well as private events, and I played multiple solo gigs as well. In NYC, I am doing much of the same as well as playing church gigs. I also started a band here called Secret Drive which is a jazz ensemble that includes a tap dancer. Our debut show was at Arthur’s Tavern in April of 2024 and we are continuing to play out as we build an audience. I also teach piano and voice through my own music school called My NYC Music Lessons. I also had my own music school in St. Louis called STL Piano Lessons which I sold when I moved to NYC. I have been teaching since 2009. Music is my passion, my full-time job, and I just want to use it to encourage others!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Read a lot of books and listen to a lot of music. Both will inspire you to keep going and teach you what to do next.

Be quiet and just listen to those who are successful in doing what you want to do. Learn from the best and get some great mentors in your life.

Hang out with believers – people who are trying to achieve things too. If you hang out with people who think life sucks, your life will suck too. Hang out with people who will lift you up and who you can cheer on as well.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Imposter syndrome. It’s real and everyone deals with it on some level, but especially creative people. If you are an artist or an entrepreneur, you are going to have to face a lot of doubts and insecurities. That is part of the deal. If it was easy, everyone would do it. But it’s important to remember that fears are just fears, they are not reality. You have to challenge those doubts when they come up and look at the facts. Celebrate your victories and remember how far you have come. Surround yourself with people who will back you up and remind you of the truth when you forget. Remember you are a human who can, and will, make mistakes. It’s not about being the best or being perfect. It’s about growing, learning, overcoming obstacles, and helping others. If you focus your energy on how you can help other people, a lot of the other stuff will fade away.

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Dervon Dixson

Abbie Takes Pictures

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