Full Event Description:

Mr. Sun Plays Ellington’s Nutcracker

December 19, 2025 – Doors at 6 PM, Show at 7 PM

Experience The Nutcracker like you’ve never heard it before. Acoustic supergroup Mr. Sun brings their bold and joyful interpretation of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite to the stage, blending jazz, bluegrass, and classical tradition through the lens of the American string band.

Inspired by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s sly and urbane reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, Mr. Sun has created a rich, genre-bending take on the Suite — preserving Strayhorn’s original horn voicings through bowed strings, layering in multi-mandolin parts, and offering fresh improvised solos that honor the spirit of jazz greats like Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves.

The performance features selections that range from faithful arrangements to wild reinterpretations, including a brand-new piece drawn from Tchaikovsky’s ballet and reimagined in classic “Dawg Music” style. Expect everything from swinging grooves to full-on bluegrass, with regional string players joining the core quartet to recreate the lush, orchestral textures of the album.

Mr. Sun — featuring Darol Anger (fiddle), Joe K. Walsh (mandolin), Grant Gordy (guitar), and Aidan O’Donnell (bass) — is known for their genre-defying approach and masterful musicianship.

Opening the evening, members of the Crested Butte Community School High School Band will perform in a special showcase of local student talent.

Celebrate the season with this imaginative and exhilarating musical event.