A special guest is set to join the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra in a recreation of one of the most beloved holiday movies ever made.
Buddy the Elf will be gracing the stage of the West End Cultural Centre in the WJO’s performance of “The Nutcracker, Ellington & Elf” on December 19. The orchestra will provide a soundtrack as they retell Buddy’s incredible journey from the North Pole to New York City, as well as a performance of the Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, providing a swinging take on a holiday favourite.
Ahead of his performances with the orchestra, Buddy the Elf (a.k.a. comedian Quinn Greene) stopped by the Classic 107 studios and told Morning Light host Nolan Kehler about what it’s like to retell his amazing story.
“It’s actually got a really great jazz soundtrack!” Buddy says, highlighting selections by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. “It’s got that big city vibe, bringing that style and that feel to the show.”
For Buddy, jazz music plays a key role in getting people into the holiday spirit. “It’s so fun and sparkling in my ears!” he says. “I like to dance a lot, so it’s a shoo-in that these swinging tunes would make me want to dance [with] the big band.”
“Brass instruments are really, really shiny!”
Those brass instruments will be put through their paces as they share Duke Ellington’s 1960 take on Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece. “Santa's good friends with Duke Ellington,” Buddy explains as he talks about the two timeless characters. “You might not even recognize some of the songs at first because they're so different. And then as they go along, you start picking them up and realize, ‘That’s the Peanut Brittle Brigade! That’s the Sugar Plum Fairy!’”.
In spite of all the places he’s seen in the world, Buddy has grown a special fond spot for Winnipeg, including the West End where he’s performing. “The West End Cultural Centre is a really great venue,” he said. “You can see the stage really wonderfully from anywhere in the room, so there’s no way to miss any of the action. It’s nice to be a lot more connected with your audience and being able to go and interact and be around the room!”
Audiences can connect with Buddy the Elf during “The Nutcracker, Ellington & Elf” at the West End Cultural Centre on December 19 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found at the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra’s website.