ABOUT LISA
Lisa Swerdlow is an accomplished pianist and composer who lives in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she grew up in a progressive Jewish family. Her mother was an elementary schoolteacher and her father worked in the garment industry. Her childhood home was full of music thanks to her father's piano, accordion and mandolin playing.
Lisa studied classical piano from the age of six playing Fur Elise by Beethoven for her first piano recital at seven. She began writing and performing songs on piano and guitar at sixteen and went on to study music theory and compositon at Humboldt State University and College of the Redwoods.
In the 1970’s Lisa performed in coffeehouses on Fairfax Avenue in L.A. and went on to play piano in a rock 'n' roll band in San Francisco. In the 1980's she performed at the West Coast Women's Music Festival and for three years, she toured Northern California with a ten-piece all women salsa band called Las Malandras.
Lisa's earliest musical influences range from Laura Nyro and Carole King to Harry Belafonte and Burt Bacharach. Later in life, she was drawn to the piano music of Keith Jarrett, David Lanz, Eddy Palmiery, Antonio Carlos Jobin, Barbara Higbie and Mary Watkins. After an extended hiatus from composing and performing, she returned to the piano and produced her debut album, Equus Rising in 2017.
In her own words: “I want people to find an emotional and perhaps spiritual connection when they listen to my music. I hope my music serves as a vehicle for healing the heart.” With plans to continue composing and recording, Lisa is looking forward to touring as well as writing music for documentary soundtracks.
“Lisa, your music speaks to me. It goes directly to my soul and then moves me into a meditation or an adventure of a delightful sort. Sometimes I feel like I’m on a horse taking a ride through the desert, other times through the stars. Each time it’s a pleasure. Thank you for this gift for my soul.” - Pam Woods, Grass Valley, CA.