A true legend of the scene, Cliff has played with some of the greatest names at some of the greatest venues. From Snow Hill, Alabama, Cliff described his childhood as atypical to others in Jazz.
“I’m a little different to most musicians. I came up in Alabama surrounded by a family of musicians. I was the youngest of seven kids and everyone picked up an instrument – my brothers Leonard and Clarence played Sax and trombone, my sister Grace was a vocalist, my brother Billy is an outstanding composer and bass player, my Sister Consuela was a great pianist and they’ve worked on Spike’s (Cliff’s nephew and acclaimed director Spike Lee) film soundtracks. My father was a band leader and my mother was a concert pianist so yeah I was definitely surrounded by talented musicians”