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Nelda Swiggett
Nelda entered the University of Washington as a classical piano performance major and a serious downhill ski racer -- an unlikely combination that ended abruptly with a major ski accident and two months of traction in a hospital bed at Harborview. Piano was out of the question, but a guitar and flute helped wile away the hours. One day, an internist on his rounds picked up her flute and began to improvise. He brought in recordings of jazz rhythm sections that he could play along with, and her hospital room became a jazz venue for passing doctors, nurses and patients. Soon Nelda was learning to improvise herself.
In 1990, Nelda formed the Room to Move Sextet, with a three- horn front line featuring trumpet, tenor sax, and trombone. The band’s CD recording of original compositions, No Time for Daydreams, received extensive airplay on Seattle's jazz stations as well as national and international airplay.
In 1998, her talent for composition was recognized by an Artist Trust Fellowship from the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her second release as a leader followed -- Nelda Swiggett | Hands On.
In 2000, Nelda became intrigued by the rich instrumentation of the big band orchestra, and has since arranged several of her original compositions for the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra. In 2001, she joined one of the Northwest’s top salsa bands, Cambalache, and immersed herself in the rhythms of salsa, Afro-Cuban, and Peruvian music. As self-anointed “montuno queen,” Nelda toured extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
After her foray into big band and salsa music, Nelda chose an intimate setting -- the piano trio -- to present her original compositions. Her third CD, This Time (OA2 Records), features herself on piano and vocals with her band mates Chris Symer on acoustic bass and Byron Vannoy on drums. In addition to performing and composing, Nelda keeps a busy schedule teaching jazz and classical piano.
Awards
Artist Trust Fellowship 1998
Tags
Nelda Swiggett Quartet: Hands On
by Jim Santella
Nelda Swiggett’s second recording as leader shows the Seattle-based pianist in a bright and creative light. Refreshing and somewhat (Thelonious) Monk-like, the leader’s piano artistry and original compositions urge her quartet to the creation of an exciting session. Drummer Steve Hill propels with taste while bassist Chuck Bergeron amplifies the rhythm and Brian Kent supplies a full, rich tone. Swiggett adds wordless vocals behind the melody in places to augment the quartet’s harmony and to add a unique blend.
In ...
read more“Inspired arranging . . . infectious rhythms . . .” -- Earshot Jazz Magazine
“Swiggett impressed the selection panel with her unquestionable talent for tight arrangements and natural ability to compose big band music.” -- Artist Trust Journal
Photos
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Three For All
From: Blue-Eyed Painted LadyBy Nelda Swiggett