SCOTT BROWN with 2015 students
DIRECTOR EMERITUS, ROOSEVELT JAZZ
Photo source: Roosevelt Jazz Booster Club archives
For decades, Roosevelt High School’s jazz program has embraced a unique musical challenge that sets it apart from other school ensembles: Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s revolutionary “The Jazz Nutcracker.” Scott Brown, director emeritus of Roosevelt Jazz, explains why this unconventional performance has become a beloved annual tradition.
“Having different kids experience it every single year, and experiencing it through their eyes is just so rewarding. I never tire of it.”
—Scott Brown
“It was a good fit because it was unusual,” Mr. Brown said. Unlike traditional performances, Roosevelt chose to perform the entire Ellington/Strayhorn arrangement—a bold decision that few other programs attempted. The adaptation brilliantly combines the recognizable beauty of Tchaikovsky’s original theme with the innovative jazz interpretations of musical masters.
2013 Nutcracker recording
Each year brings a complex set of challenges. Mr. Brown would constantly ask himself critical questions: Will there be a lead trumpet player capable of handling the demanding range? Is there a tenor saxophone player with the swagger to deliver the sultry “Sugar Rum Cherry” solo? Can the ensemble master the intricate “Midnight Stroll”?
2008 Nutcracker recording
These weren’t just technical concerns, but artistic ones. Mr. Brown’s primary focus was always how to adapt the music responsibly, ensuring every student could contribute and grow. “High expectations and high workload—the kids do rise to that expectation,” he said.
Magic lies in delicate balance of technical and artistic
Mr. Brown emphasizes the importance of staying true to Ellington’s original vision while allowing each year’s unique ensemble to bring their own interpretation. “Ellington was writing for the individuals in his band, to their strengths and their characters,” Mr. Brown said. “You don’t want to stray too far from what Ellington intended.”
For 24 years, Jazz Band 1 was asked if it wanted to perform it, and each year the answer was a resounding, Yes! “They like the challenge,” Mr. Brown said. “But deep down, I think the music truly resonated with them—and it was hard.”
This year, when current Director of Bands Hannah Mowry and her fellow directors, Deb Schaaf, Michael Van Bebber and Rebecca Woodbury, posted that same question—to more than 90 instrumentalists and vocalists—they received the same enthusiastic response.
The 25th anniversary performance is more than just a special concert. It’s a journey of artistic discovery, challenging young musicians to push beyond their comfort zones while celebrating a quintessentially American art form. For Mr. Brown, the most rewarding aspect has been witnessing different generations of students experience the music.
This year’s celebration extends beyond the music with a festive holiday marketplace and activities before each concert and during intermission. Concertgoers can explore an instrument petting zoo, take photos with costumed Nutcracker characters, enjoy holiday crafts, and purchase commemorative merchandise, poinsettias, and seasonal treats.