Ellington's Nutcracker Suite Performed by the Bellarmine Jazz Ensemble

Thursday, December 15th, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the McAstocker Theater, the Bellarmine Preparatory School Jazz Ensemble celebrated the season with an iconic piece of Americana, performing The Jazz Nutcracker, penned by the incomparable Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in a big band jazz style.
The Bellarmine Jazz Ensemble is one of the premier auditioned groups at Bellarmine. The band has consistently done well at regional and state festivals. Most recently they received a I (one) or "Superior" rating at the regional jazz festival. They were also invited to provide music for the Fulcrum Foundation's "Festival of Lights" gala last year in Seattle. There are 22 members in this year's ensemble ranging from Freshmen to Seniors, but the group is mostly upper classmen.