REVIEW Performance brings big-band era to life

The show featured a set of nine pieces from 'The Nutcracker.'
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The Fine and Performing Arts Series at Youngstown State University, in collaboration with Ballet Western Reserve, whisked its audience back to the big-band era of the 1930s and 40s, with a presentation of music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, which also included their 1960 jazzy arrangement of music from "The Nutcracker," choreographed by BWR artistic director Anita Lin.
The program began with the YSU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Kent Engelhardt, playing some tunes written by Ellington while in residence at the Cotton Club in New York, beginning with a swing piece from 1928, "The Mooch." "Harlem Airshaft" evoked the sounds of everyday life in Harlem, from people going to work to a husband and wife fighting, Engelhardt explained.
Ellington wrote "Sophisticated Lady" after being inspired by an attractive woman, Engelhardt said. This slow and sensual piece was written for Harry Carney, who was with Ellington's band from age 16 until his death. Baritone saxophonist Brandon Masterman expressively played the mellow solo.
A treat
"Rockin' in Rhythm" featured an added treat. Erianne Raib entertained the crowd with an energetic tap dance that she choreographed, followed by the "sound of New Orleans," in a piece called "Concerto for Cootie," written for Cootie Williams. Mark Gosiewski was the solo trumpeter in this superb rendition of this piece.
"Ko-Ko" was accompanied by the YSU dance ensemble, directed by Christine Cobb in a piece she choreographed called "Joe's Joint." It featured a mob of lady gangsters dressed in gray pinstripes, white ties and suspenders. Wow, what dancing! The first half of the program ended with the familiar Strayhorn tune "Take the 'A' Train."
'The Nutcracker'
The second half of the program began as Jane Hill shuffled onstage, looking like a fairy-tale grandma in her nightgown and cap. As she settled in her chair with a warm blanket, she began the narration of "The Nutcracker." And though Hill may have looked like something out of Mother Goose, there was nothing traditional about this tale.
The jazzy set of nine pieces from Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" began as Clara and her family and friends gathered for a party in "Ouverture." Uncle Drosselmeyer presented Clara with the toy nutcracker, as they swung across the stage in jazzed-up ballet. Next, Clara and her friends danced the "Entr'acte." Clara was skillfully played by Melissa Ramunno.
The "Sugar Rum Cherry" reigns in the Land of the Sweets, Hill told us, and she was a sexy and sensuous queen. Dressed in a hot red flapper dress complete with red boa and a feather in her hair, she was joined by her Cavalier in this slinky tune. The orchestral instrumentation was sparse, with interesting textures adding to the excitement of this piece. Victoria Ramm and Mikel Lewis danced this pas de deux.
The performance ended in white as snowflakes filled the stage in "hula-hoop" skirts and knit caps. Strings of lights descended, and the dancers threw "snowballs" that broke into glitter and fluttered through the air.