Tchaikovksy and Ellington's The Nutcracker Swings from Pasadena Jazz
Pasadena Civic Auditorium (300 E. Green St. Pasadena, CA 91101)
- Full Price:
- $30.00 - $45.00
- Our Price:
- $15.00 - $22.50*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for The Nutcracker Swings have expired.
The last date listed for The Nutcracker Swings was Sunday December 19, 2004 / 2:00pm.
Most Popular Jazz Event Nearby:
Jazz Greats Perform Live at Catalina Bar and Grill
- Full Price:
- $15.00 - $50.00
- Our Price:
- $7.50 - $25.00
This supper club hosts great live jazz and cabaret in a setting with Old World charm. Catalina has lived up to its slogan "Nothing But the Best in Jazz" by presenting a veritable Who's Who of jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Ray Brown, Joe Williams, Max Roach, Carmen McRae, Joe Henderson, Benny Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Joshua Redman and many more. See the full event listing for the lineup of upcoming performers. Learn More
Goldstar Member Reviews
Theresa Galarza
Hi:Written on Dec 20 2004
The music and the venue were wonderful but I fell asleep during the dancing.
I closed my eyes to enjoy the orchestra playing behind the dancers- - and I fell asleep instead.
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MotherP
The Nutcracker Swings is a terrific rendition of the classic, and a must-see for everyone. John Clayton as conductor is superb. The opening act with phenome Renee Olstead will long be remembered. The venue, a venerable, historic building, was the perfect setting.Written on Jun 20 2005
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Stephen B.
The show exceeded expectrations. We went primarily to hear Renee Olstead but found the second half performance of the Ellington arrangement of the Nutcracker and the dancing by the Lula Washington Dance Theatre to be both entertaining and refreshing.Written on Dec 20 2004
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Fara
Great variety and performers! Definitely put me in the spirit of the season!Written on Dec 20 2004
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More Information About The Nutcracker Swings
Description
In 1961 Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn worked together to create "swinging" arrangements of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The nine movements created by these two American Masters are considered classics themselves and continue to engage the imaginations of all who hear the work. Adding a dance element to the music combines for a truly spectacular production for all ages. The first half of the program features the Pasadena Jazz Orchestra in specially arranged holiday favorites that when combined with the vocal stylings of Renee Olstead create what we believe is the most sophisticated and entertaining holiday entertainment in the country!
John Clayton: Bassist, composer, arranger and cofounder of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, John Clayton brings only the highest professionalism to the Nutcracker Swings as guest conductor of the Pasadena Jazz Orchesta. Conducting the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn arrangements of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite has been a life-long" dream and is sure to inspire the musicians to perform at the highest level. John Clayton has worked with and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz including Count Basie, Quincy Jones and Diana Krall to name a few.
Renee Olstead: At only 15 year of age, Renee Olstead is on her way to make a major impact on the music world as a truly gifted jazz vocalist, movie and TV personality. She currently can be seen Monday nights in the CBS sitcom "Still Standing" and has just returned from a successful European tour promoting her recent self-titled Warner Bros. release. At only 13, Ms. Olstead performed at the 25th anniversary of the Playboy Jazz Festival amd received a "Standing Ovation" for her performance with Bill Cosby's Super Band! In "Nutcracker Swings" Renee will delight all ages as she performs classic, swinging holiday favorites with original Big Band arrangements performed by the Pasadena Jazz Orchestra.
The Pasadena Jazz Orchestra: Founded in December 2002, the Pasadena Jazz Orchestra is one of the first professional, city-named jazz ensembles in the Country.The Los Angeles Times writes in February 2004, " The PJO (Pasadena Jazz Orchestra) made a case for itself as one of the Southland's elite big jazz ensembles". The Pasadena Jazz Orchestra is comprised of 17 of the finest jazz musicians in the Pasadena area.
The Lula Washington Dance Theatre: Founded in 1980, the Lula Washington Dance Theatre has been hailed as the "Alvin Ailey of the West Coast. This is high praise indeed and much deserved as Lula Washington has garnered the 2003 "Communinity Leadership Award", the 2002 " Master of the Arts Award", the 2001 "Lifetime Achievement Award", the 2001 "Educator of the Year Award", the 2001 " KCET-TV Celebrating Women of our Community Award" and more. The "Nutcracker Swings" will feature original choreography by Lula Washington set to the timeless music of Tchaikovsky/Ellington and Strayhorn and is sure to please and inspire all ages.
About the Ticket Supplier: Pasadena Jazz Institute
The Pasadena Jazz Institute is dedicated to promoting jazz education, preservation and participation. The Institute presents concerts in tribute to the Masters of Jazz, performed in a venue befitting jazz music by the Pasadena area's finest jazz musicians.