Eric Felten Performs "Ellington's Nutcracker"
Eric Felten and his 16-piece jazz orchestra present Duke Ellington’s jazz interpretation of *The Nutcracker*, a Washington holiday tradition at Blues Alley. The concert transforms familiar movements into swinging big-band arrangements, including “Sugar, Rum, Cherry,” “Danse of the Floreodores,” and “Toot, Toot, Tootie-Toot.”
Felten also serves as the evening’s singer and trombonist, performing Christmas standards associated with the Big Band Era, including music made famous by Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. He has recorded seven albums with leading jazz musicians such as Joshua Redman, Joe Lovano, Randy Brecker, and Kenny Barron, and his PBS concert special *The Big Band Sound of WWII* aired nationwide.
When: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Showtimes: 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM
Venue: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Tickets: $50, plus a $7 fee
Lineup: Eric Felten Jazz Orchestra, a 16-piece big band, led by Eric Felten on trombone and vocals
Music: Duke Ellington’s *Nutcracker Suite*, along with Christmas classics from the Big Band Era
Seating: Seating is first come, first served at the door.
Doors: Doors open at 6:00 PM for the 7:00 PM performance and at 8:45 PM for the 9:30 PM performance.
Food and beverage: A $15 food or beverage minimum applies to each person and is not included in the ticket price.
Ticket policy: Tickets are final sale, nonrefundable, and nontransferable.
Photography and recording: Photography and all forms of recording are prohibited during the performance.
Audience etiquette: Guests are asked to keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.