Marcus Shelby’s New Orchestra Swings the Nutcracker Suite

Written By Steven Roby

Bassist, composer, and bandleader Marcus Shelby presents his New Orchestra at Miner Auditorium for a comprehensive holiday program centered around Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's Nutcracker Suite. Reinterpreting Tchaikovsky's ballet through the language of big-band jazz, the suite replaces traditional waltzes and marches with lively grooves, blues-influenced harmonies, and Ellington's distinctive voicings.

Shelby, whose ensemble draws inspiration from Ellington's own orchestra, extends the evening with original holiday songs and spirituals featuring vocalist Tiffany Austin. Together, they link classical tradition, mid-century jazz innovation, and modern Black orchestral music in a single festive concert.

Ticket Info

Performance dates, showtimes, and tickets: December 21, 2025, 8 p.m., Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center – tickets at SFJAZZ.org: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/marcus-shelby-new-orchestra/

Steven Roby

Steve Roby is a seasoned radio personality and best-selling author. Roby’s concert photos, articles, and reviews have appeared in various publications, including All About Jazz, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World. He also hosts the podcast Backstage Bay Area.

https://www.backstagebayarea.com
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