One of Duke Ellington's most delightful adaptations of another composer's material is his reworking of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" into jazz; this version is a classic and well worth treasuring. Ellington's reworking of Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suites" (including "In the Hall of the Mountain King") and his tribute to John Steinbeck ("Suite Thursday") are also among his better extended works, really utilizing the unique tones of his distinctive sidemen. Highly recommended.
If my memory isn't being its usual traitorous rapscalliony self, I seem to remember that Costco had Christmas stuff in August last year. I remember this because I distinctly remember thinking, "DAMN, it's only August." So in an effort to open your parachutes early so you don't smack the pavement in late November and say, "Aw, hell, the holidays are here," I give you a Christmas tune. But this i...
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 "Three Suites")
