You'll be tapping your toes when you hear this lively duo with its big, warm sound — featuring Nelda Swiggett on piano and vocals and Clif Swiggett on trombone and percussion. Clif & Nelda's little BIG Band can warm up an intimate room with classic swing and jazz standards — or pack a punch with lively Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms, as well as funky hits by Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams and more. Trio and quartet also available (add acoustic bass and/or drum set). Classical repertoire is available for wedding ceremonies. Special requests are welcomed. 

Clif and Nelda love to perform together and create a fun and relaxed vibe for their listeners. Their “little BIG Band” debuted in 2013, and has since performed over 50 times. In addition to their duo, these two talented musicians have many years of professional experience on Seattle's thriving music scene, performing with many different groups in clubs and restaurants, on concert and festival stages, and at weddings and private parties. They've toured and performed along the west coast from Alaska to California and more. 

Pianist and vocalist Nelda Swiggett is an award-winning composer and OA2 recording artist. Her four CDs of original music have received extensive airplay around the globe, including frequent plays on Seattle's popular KNKX 88.5 FM (formerly KPLU). Her band has been featured at the Earshot Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, and other top Northwest jazz venues. “Swiggett has a unique touch…intensely appealing pianism…a voice with a depth similar to that of Abbey Lincoln…” (All About Jazz). 

Clif Swiggett grew up in New York playing jazz trombone as a teenager. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, played lead trombone in the McDonald's Tri-State Jazz Ensemble backing up Dizzy Gillespie at the Newport and Kool Jazz Festivals, and performed live on the Merv Griffin Show. Since moving to Seattle, he's performed with Room To Move and Megabopolis (jazz), Cambalache and Caribbean Roots (salsa and Afro-Cuban), The Brian Waite Band (reggae, funk, rock), and many of Seattle's top big bands.