Portland Jazz Orchestra: Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite December 5, 2008

with Norman Leyden, guest clarinet

This holiday season PJO offers a rarely-heard pearl of the big band repertoire, Duke Ellington's virtuosic adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. Featuring nine cleverly arranged movements (boasting equally smart titles like Toot Toot Tootie Toot and Sugar Rum Cherry), it’s the quintessential Ellington blend of wit and sophistication.

Laureate associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony and conductor/arranger to the biggest stars of jazz and pop, from Glenn Miller to Frank Sinatra to Pink Martini, Norman Leyden joins the cast of PJO in the role of clarinetist.

Also on the program are the fresh and innovative charts of distinguished Seattle-based composer, Jim Knapp.

"Knapp's music is...among the best of orchestral jazz being written these days."
—Maria Schneider

Official Website: http://www.portlandjazzorchestra.org/events/