Wouter Swets was born in The Hague in 1930 as the only son of a retired planter from the Netherlands East Indies. Though destined to become a lawyer, he opted for the study of musicology at the University of Utrecht. In the 1950s, when the term 'World Music' did not yet exist, he started travelling in the Balkans in search of authentic musical practices, which were already in peril under the influence of Western music. The recovery of this authenticity would define his mission in life. He subsequently started exploring classical Ottoman court music, and finally turned his attention to the modal tradition of Central Asia. He had a perfect ear for the subtle microtonality and modality of Oriental music, which greatly helped him in his research. Though eager to share his knowledge with anyone who cared to listen to him, he was nevertheless a demanding teacher. With his shock of white hair, thick glasses and somewhat shrill voice he could be an intimidating appearance.

To Wouter Swets musical theory and practice were two sides of the same coin, and in the course of his career he directed two musical ensembles: Čalgija (1969-1995) and Al Farabi (from 1996). More often than not, his concerts took the shape of master classes or mini tutorials. On two occasions, in 1962 and 1981, he gave a series of lectures on KRO, a public Dutch radio channel. For more than thirty years, from 1972 until 2003, he reviewed newly published recordings of folk music and non-Western art music for the popular magazine Luister ('Listen'). Wouter Swets was financially independent and never held office or any other paid position, which allowed him to follow the passion of his life. He died in The Hague in 2016.