Swiggett can comp sparsely like Monk and then solo with Tynerian ringing fire...
Northwest pianist and composer Nelda Swiggett draws from her long list of influences on "This Time," her first recording in a trio setting. The album brings her long-time bandmates, bassist Chris Symer and drummer Byron Vannoy, into the forefront as the trio glides and twists through a program of highly melodic original compositions. Nelda's vocals are featured on both "Walk Beside Me" and "Say In Silence," bringing a distinctly personal quality to the project.
Track Listing:
1. For the Love of It 3:47
2. Chill 5:02
3. Jack and the Key Boo Ba 5:28
4. Heart of the Moment 4:56
5. No Tattoo 7:07
6. Walk Beside Me 3:35
7. Mere Madness 4:42
8. The Time Being 4:52
9. Beyond That 3:36
10. Say in Silence 5:23
11. Salut Ledru Rollin 6:00
Performers:
NELDA SWIGGETT - piano, vocals (2,6,10)
CHRIS SYMER - acoustic bass
BYRON VANNOY - drums
Production Info:
Produced by Nelda Swiggett
Recorded by David Lange, May 15 & 16, 2009
at David Lange Studios, Edgewood, WA
Mixed by David Lange
Mastered by Ross Nyberg
Photography by Steve Korn
Art direction & layout by John Bishop
Design by Chad McCullough
Reviews of This Time
All About Jazz (C. Michael Bailey)
Comparisons with Thelonious Monk and McCoy Tyner notwithstanding, Seattle- native Nelda Swiggett summons the influence of a piano talent closer to home, that of the late Gene Harris. Both pianists' styles are characterized by a bright palette, a sinewy execution and a powerful, assertive command. Swiggett's atonal tendencies echo Monk and her per ...
Jazz Times (Harvey Siders)
Whenever a new genre manifests itself, the occasion is significant. In the person of Nelda Swiggett, we have what can be accurately labeled "Polite Jazz." There's no better way to describe her approach to the keyboard, or her vocalizing, or her writing. Labels aside, this third album by Swiggett, as a leader, is a stunning project, put together by ...
Jazz Society of Oregon (George Fendel)
They just keep rolling out these lyrical piano players for us to admire. Nelda Swiggett is first a pianist and composer. She sings her own lyrics on three tunes, but instrumentally, she writes and plays with attractive melody lines and in many cases, a buoyancy not always heard these days. With her playing mates Chris Symer on bass and Byron Vannoy ...
Bopndicks 10 Picks (Dick Crockett)
Seattle-based pianist Nelda Swiggett has a bright smooth swinging quality to her mainstream approach and a minimalist almost bare knuckles attitude. Her key strokes are bold and assertive, as if she knows exactly the direction of her music. And you feel it, directional-determined and cool. She has written all original compositions and three with ly ...
All Music Guide (Adam Greenberg)
For her first trio recording, pianist Nelda Swiggett goes all out, using her own compositions as a base for cerebral explorations on the keys. Over an extraordinarily steady backing from Chris Symer's bass (and to a slightly less audible degree Byron Vannoy's drums), Swiggett alternately develops sparse themes into stocky grooves and tinkles little ...
