By Donald True Van Deusen
Big Swing Face, a delightfully exuberant young jazz group got an added
boost from its youthful singer, Meg Clifton, for its gig on May 24 and 25th at
at Chris' Jazz Cafe (215. 568-3131) 1421 Sansom St., Philadelphia.
Admission was just $8 and $5 for students with sets running from 9 p.m. to 1
a.m. for both nights. The singer and band were a delightful combination of
zest and style.
Ms Clifton, just 24, was reared in Lewis, Delaware and joined up with Big
Swing Face after she was graduated from The University of the Arts in
Philadelphia in the Summer of 2000. She says with unabashed joy after five
years in Philly, "I plan to stay, I just love Philadelphia." She sings with
the assured control and style of many of the famous big band singers from
the 1940's and has worked with various jazz groups and clubs in the area.
She also composes, does arrangements and teaches at local colleges.
Meg's major influences were not just Sarah and Ella, but Sinatra, Betty Carter
and Nina Simone. She even adds Miles Davis and Charlie Parker to the mix. Her
personal song selections go from "Shiny Stockings" and "Speak Low" to such R&B
rockers as "Hit That Jive, Jack."
Al McMahon, talent manager for Chris', is unstinting in his praise for Meg
because she brings such assured new life to swing standards and endows
ballads with such sensitive soulfulness.
Big Swing Face was formed by Ben Venci (saxophone) and Nick Corvino (trumpet)
with several other University of the Arts graduates just four years ago. They
play with an assured swinging style that could bring dancing in the aisles
back with selections ranging from mainstream standards to R&B favorites. Their
first CD was playfully named "Mutant Mosquitoes From New Jersey." They are
young passionate and, perhaps, the future of jazz.
