John Switzer (born November 18, 1955) is a Canadian music producer, bassist and educator. Switzer is best known for being a frequent collaborator and producing partner of singer/songwriter Jane Siberry, as well as his production work with other notable artists, such as Andrew Cash, Grievous Angels, Rita Chiarelli, and Waltons.
He also frequently works with his wife, filmmaker Ingrid Veninger.Peter Howell, "Finding yourself while lost". Toronto Star, June 15, 2012.
Early life Switzer was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1955 to Dorothy and Clayton Switzer as the eldest of three siblings. His father was dean of agriculture at the University of Guelph, and John spent summers working on the university farms. It was at the University of Guelph where he met frequent collaborator Jane Siberry.
Career John Switzer and Jane Siberry met in Guelph in the 1980s and began performing together in the band Java Jive on the Ontario campus circuit.Betty Nygaard King, "Jane Siberry". The Canadian Encyclopedia, July 29, 2007.
After Siberry decided to pursue a solo career, she retained Switzer as her musical and personal partner. Their partnership was marked by a deep musical synergy, with Switzer's production skills complementing Siberry's unique artistic vision."Critical love affair sours but Siberry not worried". Montreal Gazette, November 26, 1987. This collaboration led to the production of several of Siberry's notable albums, including No Borders Here, The Speckless Sky, and The Walking.Jonathan Gross, "Color her Jane". Toronto Star, March 21, 1987.
In this era he also produced albums for Andrew Cash,Greg Quill, "Cash pays dividends with world-class LP". Toronto Star, April 22, 1988. Grievous Angels,Jennifer Bain, "Angels are proud of Canadian roots". Calgary Herald, August 12, 1990. and The Cajun Ramblers."Angels change tracks with Cajun sound". Edmonton Journal, December 8, 1990.
Switzer was music consultant and music director for filmmaker Patricia Rozema's I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987) and White Room (1990).Craig MacInnis, "Music and celluloid mix gives Canadian flicks special rhythm". Toronto Star, November 7, 1992. He later produced the score for Zero Patience (1993) by filmmaker John Greyson.
Switzer worked as production sound recordist on a number of the films of Ingrid Veninger, including Modra (2010), Porcupine Lake (2017), The World or Nothing (El Mundo O Nada) (2019), and Crocodile Eyes (2024).
John Switzer teaches audio production at Seneca Polytechnic and is the program coordinator of the Independent Music Production (IMP) and Independent Songwriting & Performance programs at Seneca College in Toronto.David Israelson, "Intense program takes musicians to the next stage: Colleges providing artists a well-rounded education in the industry - from setting up a mic to performing behind it". The Globe and Mail, October 20, 2017.
He also performs as a session bassist.
Selected discography
Jane Siberry No Borders Here (1984) The Speckless Sky (1985) The Walking (1987) Bound by the Beauty (1989)
The Waltons Lik My Trakter (1992)
Rita Chiarelli Road Rockets (1991) Just Gettin' Started (1994)
Anne Lederman Fiddlesong (2002)
Leela Gilday Spirit World, Solid Wood (2002)
Nathan Jimson Weed (2004)
Awards
Producer of the Year at the 1986 Casby Awards for Jane Siberry's The Speckless Sky Best Recording Producer in the 1996 NOW magazine Reader's Poll Producer of the Year at the 1996 Porcupine Awards Best Producer/Engineer trophy at the 2000 Aboriginal Music AwardsGordon Kennedy, "Fiddler performs at native awards". Sudbury Star, November 30, 2000.
References
External links