Ellington/Strayhorn’s “Nutcracker Suite”

I discovered Billy Strayhorn’s amazing symphonic jazz version of Tchaikovsky’s iconic “Nutracker Suite” last June for a concert at the Barrie Jazz Festival with my jazz quartet. Colleen Allen was the first musician I thought of who could re-imagine the orchestral writing with her wide instrumental palette from piccolo to bass clarinet and all of the saxophones. Strayhorn’s arrangement for the Duke Ellington orchestra is imaginative, quirky and hugely fun to play. With titles such as “Sugar Rum Cherry”, “Peanut Brittle Brigade” and “Chinoiserie” Strayhorn breathes new life into one of the most beloved orchestral suites ever written.
We’ll also be celebrating the last night of Chanukah with a favorite arrangement of mine combining Sting’s “Soul Cake” and a beautiful Chanukah melody. And of course, we’ll be sprinkling in some of our favourite Vince Guaraldi “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” classics.
We’d love you to celebrate the season with us and the wonderful Jazz Bistro!