Esther Swift
Esther Swift explores ritual, connection, isolation, and the natural world in her performance with pedal harp and voice.
A prolific, boldly innovative harpist, composer and singer, Esther works across genres as diverse as classical chamber music and free improvisation and writes for ensembles large and small. Having studied at Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Music School and the Royal Northern College of Music, as well as with harp pioneer Catriona McKay, she has received numerous prestigious commissions and featured in many international collaborations.
She has travelled to Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mongolia, and beyond with her music, and shared international, music lead collaborations with musicians and other artists around the world.
She has recently been commissioned by Celtic Connections, Chamber Music Scotland, Manchester Jazz festival and The Edwin Morgan Trust and performed internationally with her band Emergence Ensemble.
Esther's debut solo studio album, Expectations of a Lifetime, was released in June 2024.
Likened to Kate Bush, Anna Meredith and Byörk, Esther has been described as a “compelling, as well as accessible” (London Jazz).
In her own words:
“Having grown up with folk music, studied classical music, and worked with jazz musicians, writers, dancers, poets and actors, I have loved gathering a wide array of creative processes, and incorporating them into my own compositions. I pride myself in my ability to communicate and embrace different styles of working, and am particularly drawn to creative collaborations which involve musicians of many different backgrounds. It is more important than ever that we listen and respect how different people express themselves and choose to make music, instead of focusing on the end result, which can sometimes bypass the best parts of the creative process -connection and exchange. All my music contains elements of improvisation, and I am particularly interested in developing systems that facilitate large scale group improvisation. Having spent time in Vietnam, Malawi, Brazil, Mongolia and New Zealand (among other places) learning about different music traditions and musical languages I have always delighted in spontaneous jamming sessions, and what comes from improvising and exchanging creative ideas.
I am a leader of creative collaboration in Scotland; having worked with a wide variety of artists including the Unthanks, Aidan O’Rourke and Siobhan Wilson. I have played my own music in many prestigious venues and festivals; including Wigmore Hall, and The Bridgewater Hall, Womad Chile, Womad UK, Auckland Folk Festival and The Malaysian Book Festival. I have been commissioned to compose for Chamber Music Scotland, The British Council, Hidden DoorFestival, Celtic Connections, Manchester Jazz Festival, and Music in Peebles, among others.
Passionate about community work; I have led workshops through several non-profits such as Drake Music Scotland, Music Links and Artlink. I am about to commence workshops across the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway on tackling climate change through art.
Growing up in the Scottish Borders I have always felt like I am a part of the rolling landscape. The gentle and blurred nature of the skyline has always carried itself into my music making, tracing the ebb and flow of the tweed, or the familiar rise and fall of the flowing valleys. Being in nature, observing miniature changes like varying river patterns, clumps of wildflowers, or the colours of trees, has made a huge lasting impression on me, both in my journey as a musician and creative practitioner, and to my mental health and well being.”
