Former Laurelhurst Elementary Students Playing In Roosevelt High School Jazz Band's Performance Of "The Nutracker Suite" This Week-End



A Laurelhurst Blog reader sent in this information about the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band performing the Jazz Nutcracker, by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, December 5th and 6th. 


The Roosevelt parent wrote:

The Jazz band will perform The Nutcracker Suite, a 1960's take on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. The Roosevelt Jazz Band is one of the few bands in the United States to have the score.  Ellington reworked Tchaikovsky's tunes into swinging versions; 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' becomes 'Sugar Rum Cherry' and 'Arabian Dance' is now 'Arabesque Cookie.’ 

Several of this years’ band members went to Laurelhurst Elementary School and  participated in music while attending.   

Ben Sahlin, a trumpet player and a Junior at Roosevelt, loves playing for the 5th graders, part of an outreach program sponsored by the Roosevelt Jazz Boosters.   

Thomas Hinds, also a Junior, started playing trumpet in the fourth grade.  He is excited to play the classic Nutcracker tunes with new life and energy.  

Sophomore, Xander Johns started playing the saxophone at Laurelhurst and looks forward to playing in his first Jazz Nutcracker.  He hopes to double on an instrument he hasn’t yet played in a public performance.   

And Cormac Liotta, who started on the piano, is one of three stand up bass players in the band.  He has seen the Nutcracker multiple times and is excited to be a part of this great, swinging tradition. 

Performances are at the Roosevelt High School performing Arts Theatre (1410 NE 66th Street) on Saturday, December 5th at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 6th at 2:pm  

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors, students and juniors. 

Go here for more information and to buy tickets.