Clif & Nelda's Little Big Band
This outstanding duo brings together the bright, smooth piano and warm vocals of Nelda Swiggett and the rhythmic, soulful trombone and percussion of Clif Swiggett. A married couple, and highly accomplished musicians, they’ve spent over 30 years refining their musical craft together. Clif and Nelda tap into the freedom of the duo format, connecting with audiences to make them feel like they’re part of the band. The little Big Band plays hundreds of songs, crossing genres including classic jazz and swing standards, lively Brazilian and Afro-Cuban grooves, and funky hits by Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones and more — all freely interpreted in the moment by this nimble and fine-tuned partnership.
Pianist, vocalist, and composer Nelda Swiggett has been a vibrant force in the Pacific Northwest jazz scene since the early 1990s . Her compositions blend jazz with Afro-Cuban, gospel and classical influences, creating a distinctive and engaging sound. She is an award-winning composer and OA2 recording artist. Her five album releases have received rave reviews and extensive airplay around the globe. Nelda’s big band arrangements of her original music have been performed by Seattle’s nationally recognized Garfield High School Jazz Band, the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, and others. She is also in demand as a solo pianist, side woman and jazz educator.
Trombonist, percussionist, and producer Clif Swiggett is a powerhouse of the Seattle jazz scene, known for his virtuosic improvisation and deep rhythmic command. He grew up outside New York City playing professionally as a teenager, sharing the stage backing legendary jazz icons including Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, and Randy Brecker, and touring with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Clif currently plays lead trombone with many of Seattle’s top big bands and is a core member of the critically acclaimed Megabopolis and the Forman-Finley Band. This past year, he’s added to his extensive discography with featured recordings on two highly anticipated albums. Clif also produces the popular “Jazz at the Tasting Room” series in the heart of Pike Place Market, curating world-class jazz in an iconic setting.
Pianist, vocalist, and composer Nelda Swiggett has been a vibrant force in the Pacific Northwest jazz scene since the early 1990s . Her compositions blend jazz with Afro-Cuban, gospel and classical influences, creating a distinctive and engaging sound. She is an award-winning composer and OA2 recording artist. Her five album releases have received rave reviews and extensive airplay around the globe. Nelda’s big band arrangements of her original music have been performed by Seattle’s nationally recognized Garfield High School Jazz Band, the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, and others. She is also in demand as a solo pianist, side woman and jazz educator.
Trombonist, percussionist, and producer Clif Swiggett is a powerhouse of the Seattle jazz scene, known for his virtuosic improvisation and deep rhythmic command. He grew up outside New York City playing professionally as a teenager, sharing the stage backing legendary jazz icons including Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, and Randy Brecker, and touring with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Clif currently plays lead trombone with many of Seattle’s top big bands and is a core member of the critically acclaimed Megabopolis and the Forman-Finley Band. This past year, he’s added to his extensive discography with featured recordings on two highly anticipated albums. Clif also produces the popular “Jazz at the Tasting Room” series in the heart of Pike Place Market, curating world-class jazz in an iconic setting.
SOUND CLIPS
“Swiggett has a unique touch… intensely appealing pianism…”
– All About Jazz, CD Review
“Extraordinary trombone solos by Clif Swiggett set the tone…”
– Ken Kraintz, CD Review
“…they have developed quite the following!“
– Bob Delf, Northwest Cellars
“Very highly recommended!”
– Dave Napolitan, host
“(one of) King County’s most talented performing artists.”
– Arts 4Culture, Seattle, WA
Tasting Room
“The Little Big Band plays regularly at my winery in Kirkland, and they have developed quite the following! This dynamic duo are very accomplished musicians who play big band, jazz, broadway, latin, salsa, and much more. They are the perfect fit for us, and I highly recommend them.”
– Bob Delf, Northwest Cellars Winery
Holiday Party
“Clif and Nelda were great to work with at our holiday party. Music was great! They added a great upbeat mood to the party. Thanks! I hope to see you again next year.”
Wedding Ceremony and Reception
“Thank you for playing at our wedding last Sunday. The guests loved the jazz music played and we were so excited you were able to make our day so special. It was the perfect addition to our ceremony and social hour.”
Adult Birthday Party
“Clif and Nelda are not only talented performers, but they have a great ability to “read the room” and adapt. They played dynamically throughout the night helping pace the evening beautifully. Just about everybody I talked to that night expressed how awesome it was to have such good quality live music. Very highly recommended!”
Corporate Launch Party
“We are so thankful to have had Clif & Nelda perform at our Launch Party... The Jazz was fantastic and really added that special something to our event – would highly recommend!”
Cinco de Mayo Party
“Our community was very pleased with the entertainment provided by Clif and Nelda’s little BIG band. I would certainly recommend them to others. They ... made our Cinco de Mayo party a success.”
Trio and quartet also available (add acoustic bass and/or drum set).
Classical repertoire is available for wedding ceremonies. Special requests are welcomed.
HIRE THE LITTLE BIG BAND
For bookings or more information, contact Clif Swiggett at (206) 484-0296 or cswiggett(at)gmail.com.
Stage requirements: The duo typically brings its own sound system, microphones, stands, and electric keyboard (if an acoustic piano is not available). The performance area should be at least 6’ x 8’ with access to a power outlet.
Clif & Nelda’s little Big Band is on the 4Culture Touring Arts Roster. King County arts agencies, chambers of commerce, and municipalities can apply for a 50% reimbursement of the little Big Band performance fee. For more information, visit https://www.4culture.org/touring-arts-roster/for-presenters/.
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Gallery
Partial Song List
Jazz & Swing
After You’ve Gone
Ain’t Misbehavin
As Time Goes By
Autumn Leaves
Beautiful Love
Body and Soul
Bye Bye Blackbird
Cantaloupe Island
Cold Duck Time
Cottontail
Darn That Dream
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You
How High The Moon
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
I Love Paris
I Love You
I’m Old Fashioned
L-O-V-E
Mack the Knife
Make Someone Happy
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Mood Indigo
Moonlight in Vermont
My Funny Valentine
The Nearness of You
Poinciana
Road Song
Route 66
Side Winder
Skylark
St James Infirmary
Stompin’ at the Savoy
Take the “A” Train
What is This Thing Called Love
Work Song
Latin
Armando’s Rhumba
Besame Mucho
Black Orpheus
Brazil
Caravan
Cha Cha Cha
Corcovado
Desifinado
Girl From Ipanema
How Insensitive
Mambo Inn
Manteca
Mas Que Nada
Obsession
Oye Como Va
Smile
Son De La Loma
Song For My Father
St Thomas
Sway
Triste
Um Samba
Wave
Popular
Blackbird
Don’t Know Why
Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing
Every Breath You Take
Happy
Hey Jude
Hound Dog
I Feel Good
I Want You Back
I Wish
Imagine
In My Life
Shining Star
Superstition
Visions
What a Wonderful World
Holiday
Baby It’s Cold Outside
Blue Christmas
Christmas is Coming
The Christmas Song
Christmas Time is Here
Frosty the Snow Man
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Jingle Bells
Linus & Lucy
My Little Drum
O’ Tannenbaum
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Silent Night
Silver Bells
White Christmas
Winter Wonderland
Wedding Ceremony
Cannon in D
Forever I Do
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
One Hand, One Heart
Traumerei
Trumpet Voluntary
Wedding March
PAST VENUES
Fairwood Golf and Country Club, Renton, WA
Wilridge Estate Winery, Yakima, WA
Skagit Casino Resort, Bow, WA
Rainier Golf and Country Club, Seattle, WA
Sagebrook Senior Living, Bellevue, WA
Northwest Cellars, Kirkland, WA
Silver Cloud Inn, Bellevue, WA
Center for Urban Horticulture, Seattle, WA
Canlis Restaurant, Seattle, WA
Jazz at Camano Center concert series, Camano Island, WA
Bellevue Hyatt Regency, Bellevue, WA
Union Station, Tacoma, WA
Chateau Bothell Landing, Bothell, WA
The Westin Seattle Hotel, Seattle, WA
Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival, Bellevue, WA
Hotel Murano, Tacoma, WA
The Tasting Room, Seattle, WA
Renaissance Hotel, Seattle, WA
Three Holy Hierarchs Romanian Orthodox Church, Mountlake Terrace, WA
Bellevue Hilton, Bellevue, WA
Stoneway Cafe, Seattle, WA
Edmonds in Bloom Garden Tour, Edmonds, WA
Bethel Lutheran Church, Shoreline, WA
The Royal Room, Seattle, WA
First & Bell Event Space, Seattle, WA
Active Voice Building, Seattle, WA
Gage Academy of the Arts, Seattle, WA
Central Bar + Restaurant, Bellevue, WA
Queen Anne Clubhouse, Seattle, WA
Aljoya Retirement Community, Mercer Island, WA
Brother Don’s Bar & Grill, Bremerton, WA
Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church, Seattle, WA
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Seattle, WA
Seattle Jazz Vespers concert, Seattle First Baptist Church, WA
Horizon House, Seattle, WA
Mary Schwartz Summit, Seattle, WA
Swiftwater Cellars, Cle Elum, WA
Fairwood Golf & Country Club, Renton, WA
Chihuly Museum of Glass, Seattle, WA
Hearthstone, Seattle, WA
Cellar Cat, Kingston, WA
13 Coins, Seatac, WA
Fountainhead Gallery, Seattle, WA
Josephy Center, Joseph, OR
University House, Seattle, WA
and numerous private parties and corporate event