Central Florida’s top jazz musicians swing the 1960 holiday classic, plus A New Orleans Christmas
“The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” becomes the swinging “Sugar Rum Cherry,” when band leader Frank Wosar and the dynamic Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra present Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker & A New Orleans Christmas at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts, 1895 Saint Edward’s Drive in Vero Beach, 32963.
In 1960, Duke Ellington’s colleague Billy Strayhorn, suggested he do a jazz arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Soon after, “The Dance of the Reed Pipes” transformed into the sassy “Toot Toot Tootie Toot,” and the beloved “Waltz of the Flowers” was made over into a glitzy Vegas showstopper, “Dance of the Floreadores.” Ellington was an American pianist, composer and bandleader.
Arranged by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, the Nutcracker Suite was recorded for the Columbia label and featured inspired jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky. Trombone professor Frank Wosar and the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra will add to the season’s jazziest greetings, by playing additional holiday favorites with a New Orleans twist.
Director of Jazz Bands at Valencia College, Frank Wosar is a four-time Down Beat Award winner for outstanding jazz solo. $25 advance tickets for adults are available through the orchestra website at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust, beachside and mainland branches. Tickets at the door are $30.
Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker & A New Orleans Christmas is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID. For more information, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra Conductor, Frank Wosar brings together the best Central Florida musicians for Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker & A New Orleans Christmas.
“This group will do justice to Duke Ellington’s whimsical jazz classic,” said Wosar. “They have played with some of the biggest names of yesterday and today. I guarantee this holiday jazz concert will be one cool Yule.”
For more information about the Space Coast Symphony’s 2019-20 Season or the Symphony for Everyone discount ticket program, please visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.