Ryan Schwab

Ryan Schwab was raised in Santa Barbara, California. From an early age, he listened to jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and of course his hero, Frank Sinatra. His parents fostered his love of music. Ryan quickly became enamored with jazz as a teenager by listening to LA’s Jazz station KKGO Ryan’s passion for singing began at a young age. He first started singing as a boy with the Santa Barbara Christian School Choir. Later, during his years at Santa Barbara High School, he joined the Santa Barbara High School Concert Choir and Madrigals. His passion for singing really developed during his years at Santa Barbara High. “It seems like I have always sung,” says Ryan, “but I didn't want to become a singer until the Santa Barbara High School choir teacher, Phyllis Zimmerman, took an interest in me.” While terrified of his strict high school choirmaster, Mrs. Zimmerman’s teaching drew Ryan toward the music profession. In 1982, Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Teri. He continued to pursue a singing career and worked for a number of years in the music industry, including working as Maynard Ferguson's’ personal assistant, and singing at various Santa Barbara venues. However, when his first daughter was born, Ryan’s plans for a music career were put on hold to take care of his growing family. In addition to music, Ryan is passionate about homeschooling and encouraging parents of gifted children. He homeschooled his oldest daughter from kindergarten through high school, and his youngest from kindergarten through junior high. Now that Ryan’s children are grown, he is looking to pick up where he left off. During his tenure as “Homeschool Dad,” he never stopped enjoying music or thinking of singing on stage. In the past year, Ryan began singing in public again. He is a member of the Santa Barbara Jazz Society and frequently performs at their jazz jams. Ryan also regularly sings at the Solvang Brewing Company and at SoHo Restaurant in Santa Barbara. When not singing, he loves to explore the California Central Coast with his wife of over thirty years.

Santa Barbara, CA