Started by Harvey Swann, Sr., the jazz group The Swanns have been performing professionally for approximately 12 years. Harvey Swann, Sr. began playing the piano at age eight. He was given piano lessons for approximately 8 months. At age 11 he picked up the trombone. During his teens he learned to play the bass guitar as well. He played the trombone in his middle and high school bands. However, a lot of his childhood musical experiences came from the church environment, picking up skills by accompanying adults, as well as utilizing self-taught skills. After fine-tuning his musical skills in his late twenties and early thirties, Harvey Sr. decided to pursue a career as a solo jazz pianist. In the meantime, he had promised his oldest son (Thomas) a saxophone. He made good on his promise a few years later and purchased Thomas an alto sax. Harvey Sr. first learned to play the sax himself and then began to teach Thomas. Jacqueline, one of his daughters expressed an interest in learning the sax, and Harvey Sr. began to teach her also. A bass guitar was purchased for Benjamin and Harvey Sr. began teaching Benjamin to play the bass. Harvey Sr. began teaching Harvey Jr. the piano a few months later. By the end of the year (1998) a drum set had been purchased for John and the jazz group The Swanns (a group comprised of father and kids) held their first box office concert in February of 1999. Soraja, the latest addition to the group, began receiving flute lessons from Harvey Sr. in 2000. Chontell, also a flute player, had begun playing the flute in 1998.

Since the inception of the group in 1998, they have released three CD's, one DVD and have performed their original jazz pieces at many different venues and occasions. Touring as musicians has given the Swann children the opportunity of sharing the spotlight, and sometimes literally sharing the stage with several world dignitaries and business leaders. Their music has taken them to places such as; The New Washington, D.C. Convention Center, the Hollywood in Washington Awards Dinner (attended by movie producers, TV personalities, etc.), The Summer of The Arts Festival held in Erie Pennsylvania at The Pepsi Amphitheater, The Harlem Renaissance Festival and various other festivals, black tie affairs and private events. In the summer of 2005 they kicked off the National Black Family Reunion, held on the grounds of The National Mall (National Monument Grounds) in Washington, D.C. In 2003, they were featured in the Washington Post and other newspapers. They were featured on Metro Watch on Radio Station WPFW 89.3 FM. It has been said of them that "they have a tight sound". Looking to catch a group in concert? This is the group to catch!