Day 23: The Nutcracker Suite- Duke Ellington
Note: This post is part of a series where I listen to an album each day in December. Past posts can be found on my substack. All hyperlinked songs go to Spotify links, Youtube links can be found at the end of the post.
Hi all! I’m expecting the next few posts to be a bit shorter because of the holidays, but I will still try to offer something up. Today’s listening was a real treat. In high school, I was introduced to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Since then, it has been a holiday (and year-round) staple. Look no further if you want a prime example of perfectly executed dynamics in a big band setting and the genius of some of the greatest jazz collaborators.
I always enjoy listening to Ellington, but this album along with his other suites is particularly exciting. I like the storytelling suites offer us as listeners. If you’ve seen The Nutcracker each time you listen to Tchaikovsky’s suite after seeing the production, you can visualize the ballet in its traditional staging. Though there are jazz stagings to Ellington’s interpretation, I’ve always felt it was more open-ended. Ballet is an art form with a long historic and traditional legacy. There is minimal variation from the source, Ellington’s interpretation is connected to the original story and welcomes the innovation and improvisation inherent in jazz.
While looking for the album on YouTube, I found this short promotional clip that features the “Overture” of the suite. That selection happens to be my favorite from the album, so watching the soloists play on film was amazing. Paul Gonzalves is up first on tenor then "Booty” Wood on trombone and Ray Nance sings on trumpet. Like any good overture, you get a sense of what’s to come on the album. Seconds in you know the record has an attention-grabbing drive and swing that can’t be easily replicated by other groups.
The album is short, clocking in at just about 30 minutes long. My favorites are as follows.
If you’re interested in reading more about the album, SFJazz has an article detailing the significance of Ellington’s longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn being featured on the cover for the first time and a transcription of the original liner notes.
Until Tomorrow,
Emily
Personnel
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Saxophones – Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope
Trombone – "Booty" Wood, Britt Woodman, Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Andres Meringuito, Eddie Mullins, Ray Nance, Willie Cook
Listen to the Nutcracker Suite on YouTube