Saxophonist, recording artist, educator, and composer, Ricky Sweum brings his passion for modern jazz to audiences and students throughout the nation. He is an official artist/endorser of P. Mauriat saxophones and the jazz ensemble director at Colorado College.

Based in Colorado, Ricky is member of such notable groups as the Chie Imaizumi Jazz Orchestra and the Air Force Academy Band. With the later, he plays for over a million people yearly while touring the states. As lead tenor sax soloist with The Falconaires, the premiere jazz ensemble of the US Air Force, Ricky has performed at the Monterey, Clearwater and Telluride Jazz Festivals, Carnegie Hall, and the 2007 IAJE convention in New York City.

Ricky was raised in Oregon. In high school he was a member of the McDonald\'s All American Jazz Band/Grammy Band where he worked with Henry Mancini in New York City. He also received the Yamaha Young Performing Artist award. After high school, he attended William Paterson University before moving to New York City where he spent ten years. While based in New York, Ricky would leave for periods of time to tour with various bands around the world. One of which was playing lead tenor sax with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra lead by Buddy Morrow and another was touring with the broadway show of "The Sound of Music" featuring Marie Osmond.

Ricky left New York in 2003 and moved to Texas to join the Air Force Band of the West. In Texas, Ricky was a member of the Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Big Band and recorded "Live at Luna" on the Whaling City Sound label.

"Ricky is a burning tenor player with technique and ideas to spare." - Dave Liebman (jazz saxophonist and educational legend)

"…a great young saxophone player with big sound and a big future." - Walt Weiskopf (critically-acclaimed saxophonist and composer)

"Ricky plays with a maturity and control of his instrument that is a real pleasure to listen to. His sound commands your attention." - Bill Evans (Grammy nominated jazz saxophonist)

"Ricky Sweum plays with one foot rooted in the tradition and one looking to the future. He is a wonderfully creative saxophonist and prolific composer." - Gary Smulyan (six-time Grammy Award winning baritone saxophonist)