The Strathmore Jazz Orchestra brings Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker to the Music Center stage, along with classic Christmas songs from the golden era featuring Strathmore Artists in Residence alumni Christie Dashiell, Taisha Estrada, Gerson Lanza, and Dante’ Pope, with arrangements by Daniel Jamieson, Ben Patterson, Paul White, Richard DeRosa, and Victor Goines. The evening will be hosted by Ed Smith, executive producer and host of Jazz Now on Takoma Radio/WOWD 94.3 and co-host of The Future of Jazz Podcast.

From swinging renditions of classic carols to upbeat takes on seasonal standards, this festive concert is packed with toe-tapping rhythms, lush harmonies, and electrifying solos.

This performance is part of our Meet Me at Strathmore event series. Check back soon or email us for more information on how to participate.

The Strathmore Jazz Orchestra expands what artists can create and what audiences can experience. As a resident house ensemble of top-tier professional musicians, the orchestra gives guest artists a flexible creative partner for ambitious repertoire, new arrangements, and projects that draw on the full scale, color, and power of a big band.