Richard Swan is a songwriter and worship leader based in London, UK. He has worked with Delirious, Graham Kendrick and Tim Hughes, among others. Richard plays keyboard and guitar, and runs a couple of function bands as well as teaching in local schools.

Richard was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1970. He moved to Dublin, Ireland at the age of 6, and then to England in 1984. He graduated from Goldsmiths' College in 1992 with a degree in Music (and a wife!), then studied for a further year to obtain his PGCE, qualifying him as a teacher. He taught Music for 3 years before going freelance as a musician, working with Delirious (choral and string arrangements for "King of Fools"), Graham Kendrick (choir director for "Rumours of Angels" tour, 1997), David Lyle Morris and many others. In 1999 he moved back into education, and in 2001 became Head of Music at a school in Blackheath. In 2004 he moved to a school in Catford, but in 2005 he resigned in order to dedicate himself to his songwriting and playing. Richard has two sons (Ben and Matt) and one wife (Caro). They live in Brockley, South East London, and attend Brockley Community Church, where Richard often leads worship. Richard also plays with Melodius Thunk - a jazz band, and the Disco Knights - a function band. He also plays with Gordon Mark Webber, Francesca Payne and Dominic Ashworth, and frequents the Thursday night "Jazz Jam" at the Amersham Arms in New Cross.

Yes, Sunday mornings, Brockley Community Church, London SE4. And various other events around the UK. The jazz band plays live a lot - see www.melodiusthunk.co.uk for details...

Very eclectic. Write lots of Praise and Worship stuff, ala Graham Kendrick, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes - but try to keep it manageable for congregations. Also some childrens' worship. Musically I have influences of Bruce Hornsby, Joni Mitchell, Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Portishead...

Ramsa DA7 mixer, Logic, Mac G4, lots of real instruments...

Real heart for writing songs that people can use to lift up the name of Jesus. Try to write interesting yet simple songs. I don't write songs to be just listened to - in fact, I think other people sing them better than I do. It's the melody and words which are important.