Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Classical Jazz Quartet: Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker"
Classical Jazz Quartet: Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker"
![Classical Jazz Quartet: Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker"](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/1288451239_51ocrc7kg9l..jpg "Classical Jazz Quartet: Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker"")
Stefon Harris, 28, received his master's degree in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music in 1997. Strongly influenced by the music of Igor Stravinsky, the vibraphonist balances melody, harmony and rhythm on his instrument with an easy-going, fluid technique. Veteran pianist Kenny Barron has had a great deal of success in the past 10 years or so working with widely different artists; as have Ron Carter and Lewis Nash. Coming together for this interpretation, the quartet conjures up marching soldiers, relaxed dancers, a gentle waltz, and folk idioms from around the world. With each of the four participating equally, the quartet gets its unique character from all directions. Highly recommended, this one comes just in time for the holidays.
Track Listing
The Swingin' Nut (Overture Miniature); Marche Touche (March); Groove of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy); Blues a la Russe (Russian Dance Trepack); Bedouin Dreams (Arabian Dance); Oriental Rhythm (Chinese Dance); Mirlitonova (Dance of the Reeds); Vaunce of the Flowers (Waltz of the Flowers).
Personnel
Stefon Harris: vibraphone, marimba; Kenny Barron: piano; Ron Carter: bass; Lewis Nash: drums.
Album information
Title: Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Vertical Jazz Records
About Classical Jazz Quartet
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
