What is duke ellington the nutcracker suite?

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite is a jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet score, The Nutcracker. Ellington's version was first recorded in 1960 and features upbeat jazz arrangements of classic tunes such as "Sugar Rum Cherry" and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." The suite was a departure from Ellington's usual big band sound and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. The album also featured jazz musicians such as Clark Terry and Paul Gonsalves. The Nutcracker Suite has since become a holiday jazz classic and is often played during the Christmas season.