Musicians :
Duke Ellington (piano), Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Paul Gonzalves, Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton (saxophone), Ray Nance, Willie Cook, Andrew Meringuito, Eddie Mullins (trumpet), Aaron Bell (bass), Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown, Britt Woodman, "Booty" Wood (trombone), Sam Woodyard (drums).

"This is a no brainer. Do you really need a sales note for this LP ? Stop a second and put on your thinking cap. Duke Ellington plays Tchaikovsky. I play this at my Christmas party every year and you should see my guests groove out to this. It's amazing how swinging and sexy the Nutcracker Suite can sound. 'Sugar Rum Cherry' (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) sounds like strip tease music. I was down to my boxer shorts before my mother walked into the living room. In fact I play this long after the holidays have passed. A real gem !" - Johnny Zhivago