The Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra’s The Nutcracker Remix takes Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s familiar holiday themes and reframes them with modern big-band color—less a straight “jazz Nutcracker” replay than a set of contemporary re-compositions that move through swing, funkier backbeats, and open solo space while keeping the ballet’s melodic fingerprints intact. The ensemble is led by […]
The Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra’s The Nutcracker Remix takes Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s familiar holiday themes and reframes them with modern big-band color—less a straight “jazz Nutcracker” replay than a set of contemporary re-compositions that move through swing, funkier backbeats, and open solo space while keeping the ballet’s melodic fingerprints intact. The ensemble is led by conductor Eric Lechliter, whose arranging concept is joined by Dominic Marino’s contributions, filtering the classical source through today’s large-ensemble language rather than nostalgia for earlier jazz Nutcracker touchstones. The personnel brings a full-section sound and a tight rhythm core: Jeremy Long, Jamie Walkenhauer, Garin Webb, Dwayne Irvin, and Phil Hilger on reeds; Matthew Anklan, John Zappa, Ralph DiSylvestro, and Kim Pensyl on trumpets; Zachary Granger, Marc Fields, Brian Stevens, and Josh Omaits on trombones; Brad Myers on guitar, Matt Harris on piano, Aaron Jacobs on bass, Jim Leslie on drums, with Mandy Gaines on vocals. A truly fresh and excellent take on the yuletide tunes that we love.
