Buddy Moncrief

Somewhere out on New Route 66, about 50 miles west of Sinatra and 75 miles east of Tom Waits, Swanson struts his swingin' and singin'. He loves Dave Frishberg songs and Johnny Walker in a tumbler. He'd like to hear Kurt Elling cover Stone Temple Pilots. Lonnie Johnson is God.

On his latest full-length release "We Can't Party Like We Used To" (2009 Acoustic SwaneeLand), Swanson pounds out 12 original vocal jazz cuts with a cool retro vibe. His bluesy vocals and tasty guitar licks remind of crooners past and present - Sinatra, Cole, John Pizzarelli come to mind - but his clever songwriting has a leaner, edgier feel to it that puts him squarely in the current century.