Steve Swallow (born October 4, 1940)[1] is an American jazz bassist and composer, known for his collaborations with Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton, and Carla Bley.

[3] Born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, United States,[4] Swallow studied piano and trumpet, as a child, before turning to the double bass[2] at the age of 14.

In 1960, he left Yale University, where he was studying composition, and settled in New York City, playing at the time in Jimmy Giuffre's trio along with Paul Bley.

He plays with a pick (made of copper by Hotlicks), and his style involves intricate solos in the upper register.

His compositions have been covered by, among others, Jim Hall (who recorded his very first tune, "Eiderdown"), Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Stan Getz and Gary Burton.