Duke Ellington And His Orchestra The Nutcracker Suite

Featured in Michael Fremer's Heavy Rotation in the July 2009 Issue of Stereophile! Pressed at Pallas in Germany!
In 1960, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arranged their own adaptation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite for the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arranged their very own virtuoso adaptation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" for the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1960. With nine cleverly arranged movements and equally clever titles.B such as "Toot Toot Tootie Toot" or "Sugar Rum Cherry", this LP is the quintessence of Ellington's mixture of esprit and sophistication. It's hard to believe how swinging and sexy the Nutcracker Suite can sound!

Features:

• 180g vinyl
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany

Musicians:

• Duke Ellington, piano
• Johnny Hodges, saxophone
• Harry Carney, saxophone
• Paul Gonzalves, saxophone
• Russell Procope, saxophone
• Jimmy Hamilton, saxophone
• Ray Nance, trumpet
• Willie Cook, trumpet
• Andrew Meringuito, trumpet
• Eddie Mullins, trumpet
• Juan Tizol, lawrence brown trombone
• Britt Woodman, trombone
• "Booty" Wood trombone
• Sam Woodyard, trombone
• Aaron Bell, drums, bass

Selections:

Side A
1. Overture
2. Toot Toot Tootie Toot (Dance of the Reed - Pipes)
3. Peanut Brittle Brigade (March)
4. Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar - Plum Fairy)
5. Entr'acte
Side B
1. The Volga Vouty (Russian Dance)
2. Chinoiserie (Chinese Dance)
3. Dance of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers)
4. Arabesque Cookie (Arabian Dance)