Michael Flack and his Monday Night Jazz Ensemble will get into the swing of Christmas right before Thanksgiving with their Sunday concert featuring a jazzed-up “Nutcracker Suite.” Flack, director of the ensemble, said, “It’s going to be a great concert featuring familiar music in a jazz band style.”
Most folks recognize “Waltz of the Flowers” from “Nutcracker Suite,” written by Tchaikovsky in 1892. Concertgoers will hear two different renditions of that piece in swing style at the concert. The first was arranged by Duke Ellington, who Flack calls one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.
Ellington and Bill Strayhorn arranged the entire “Nutcracker Suite” for jazz musicians and recorded it in 1960.
“Ellington’s style is unique,” Flack said. “He wrote all his music to feature his unique musicians.”
He said the Ellington arrangement of “Waltz of the Flowers,” includes clarinet and brass players performing improvisational solos. The trumpet and trombone sections will play with what are called mutes — to change the sound, he said.
More Top Picks Webcam Covers
Flack said Ellington’s pieces are technically challenging. “The band has been doing a lot of practicing,” he said. “They like it because it’s different and they like a challenge.”
The other jazz arrangement of “Waltz of the Flowers” by Bill Liston is more of a straightforward jazz piece, Flack said. Liston has recorded with Michael Buble, Ray Charles and other jazz musicians. He also has written music for movies including “Spider-Man 3,” and “The Devil Wears Prada.”
The band members have been listening to both pieces during Monday night rehearsals to learn the differences in styles, Flack said. “We’re performing for the audience two different takes on the same theme,” he said. “They’re both swing,” but other than that quite different, he said.
The band also will perform familiar tunes including “Joy to the World,” “Let it Snow,” “Jingle Bells” and “Away in a Manger” arranged for jazz groups by Tom Kubis, Alan Baylock and John LaBarbera.
“All of them have arranged works for top jazz groups in the nation,” Flack said.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
CLC Jazz Ensemble Concert
When: 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: James Lumber Center, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
Tickets: $5 to $6
Information: 815-543-2300; jlcenter.clcillinois.edu