Duke Ellington once remarked about Strayhorn: “Billy Strayhorn was my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brain waves in his head, and his in mine”.”. Theirs is one of the most prolific musical partnerships in history.
An exhilarating story told in dance, SUGAR HILL is set to the music of the genre-defying collaboration between jazz icons Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in a captivating way that has never been done before. Chicago presents a world premiere at the Auditorium Theater this December.
SUGAR HILL reveals the glamour of the 1930s as seen through the lens of the nonconformist daughter of a high-society Black family in Manhattan and her fantastic dreamworld in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Harlem. The Sugar Hill girl is, in real life, the legendary Lena Horne. A jazz-steeped reimagining of the classic tale, this Nutcracker dance story sends a stirring message that champions individuality and the journey to find the power of your unique self: “Go find what makes you different to find your magic.”
N’DIGO chatted with Alyce Claerbaut, niece of Billy Strayhorn, the curator and administrator of Strayhorn music. David Garfinkle, Tony Award-winning lead producer of SUGAR HILL: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, and Ron Simmons, Tony Award Winner for Colored Girls and Thoughts of a Colored Man. This is the dynamic trio that has brought SUGAR HILL to the stage.
Alyce Claerbaut
Alyce Claerbaut has worked tirelessly and diligently to maintain the work of her uncle Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington‘s music. She has scored a coup with the premiere of SUGAR HILL: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker. The theatrical production’s world premiere is in Chicago at The Auditorium Theater from December 20 to 30.
I questioned her on her memories and reflections of “Uncle Billy.”
N’DIGO: What do you think of the new production of The Nutcracker Ellington Strayhorn Musical?
Alyce Claerbaut: I like that this presentation has a libretto written by Jessica Swan. There is a story behind the music, as is in the classical retention. The arrangement was done in the 1960s as exclusive music. The theatrical production with dance expands their work with a storyline so that the characters represent the artistic time of Sugar Hill. New York’s Sugar Hill was the collective place for the Harlem Renaissance. Today, this place is so diverse, and everyone finds their magic, and the play reveals this in every style, from classical ballet to swing and hip hop. It expands on what Ellington and Strayhorn did. It’s a ballet with original music and a story. Everybody will see something that they can relate to. Everyone has magic.
What are your reflections on Strayhorn’s music?
I knew Uncle Billy. Growing up, I didn’t realize what a genius he was until I began to study music myself. I sat with him at the piano when he was working on the musical score for the movie “Paris Blues” starring Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carrol, Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward. This experience allowed me to understand the creative process.
As I reflect, I realize he was a genius to have written such beautiful music like LUSH LIFE. He wrote this classic at the age of 16 years old. The unfolding of the creative process and putting this play together is quite the experience. I provided the scores for the play. I have all the charts for production. I have the original charts. I have been immersed in his music.
David Garfinkle – Producer
N’DIGO: Why are you producing Sugar Hill in 2023?
David Garfinkle: Now is the time when we have to look at people coming over their fears. In our current world situation, we need to look at individual uniqueness and “find your magic.” To take an initial story where the Nutcracker is the one who saves the day. Now we have a story about a young “Lena” who saves the day. This story is inspired by Lena Horne and the relationship she had with Strayhorn. That’s the soul of who she was.
The music was originally produced in the 60s, and it is a story about the glamour of the 30s.
Ellington and Strayhorn created an album for different jazz bands. A music derivative of the Nutcracker, they orchestrated about 35 to 40 minutes of Tchaikovksy‘s original 2 act ballet. Music like “The Overture,” the “Nutcracker March,” and “Sugar Rum Cherry” are examples. The music was created in 1960 but never appeared on stage as a dance piece; it appeared exclusively with jazz bands.
What we also love about SUGAR HILL is that it is filled out musically from the fantastic canon of other Ellington/Strayhorn work, including the rare piano duet “Tonk” by Ellington and Strayhorn and “Valse,” masterfully written by Strayhorn when he was only 16 years old.
So, is this an original production?
This is the first time it has been created as a full-length jazz story on stage, ready for international travel. It is the first show to showcase the original music of Ellington and Strayhorn, including the music on the album. The music Includes “Take the A Train” and “Caravan“ for example. Some of the iconic music from Ellington, like “Echoes of Harlem,” is introduced. It also includes music little-known by Billy Strayhorn, like “Cashmere Cutie. “There have been previous efforts to produce this show, but nothing took off.
Part of this production is the creation of a new storyline with dance. SUGAR HILL reveals the glamour of a nonconformist young Black girl living in Manhattan. She looks at her dream world in Sugar Hill, juxtaposed with a family of the upper west side of New York, where she feels she doesn’t belong. In her dream world, she celebrates Sugar Hill and experiences self-discovery. This is the storyline of the piece, where she is allowed to find her magic. This is a jazz reimagining of the classic tale.
This world-class Grammy, Tony, and Bessie Award-winning team has created a breathtaking experience that stands on the American Jazz giants’ shoulders while living on the cutting edge of theatre and dance. The end result pushes these artistic forms to new heights, giving audiences of all kinds a work that resonates and inspires.
Is it a Christmas story?
It is not about Christmas. It is about self-discovery and the power of finding your unique story. What makes you different? What is your magic?
Why is the world premiere of Sugar Hill in Chicago?
Chicago has such a rich history of jazz. My plans are to go to Asia in April and play in multiple US markets. It is a world-class theatrical production with a universal storyline.
Ron Simons- Lead Producer
Why SUGAR HILL now?
The world has changed, and in many ways, the world has not changed. The way it has not changed is that people of color, the youth of color, are still traveling to find their way in what some say is a post-racial society. It’s okay to be different, but this tells a story about “Black Girl Magic.” This is about a young girl finding her authentic self.
What drew you to the story?
It is inspiring, relevant, and needed right now. It’s nice to see self-reflection on stage. It celebrates the music of Billy Strayhorn, a gay man who lived in the shadow of Duke Ellington.
Strayhorn wrote some of this music when he was 16 – “Cashmere Cutie. “He found his retreat in his music to find his expression. Strayhorn discovered his unique voice. He was a genius. It’s all about the universal self that speaks to all of us.
Photo Courtesy of SUGAR HILL: Nutcracker
Final Word from Alyce Claerbaut…
How would you describe the Ellington Strayhorn musical collaboration?
Very interesting. Duke spotted something in Billy. Duke had the highest respect for him. Billy was 16 years younger than Duke. The relationship was a real symbiosis of the right crafting. They spoke a language; Billy had the highest level of culture and talent. Bill said Ellington was able to understand him. It was a perfect pairing. They enjoy a rich legacy.
Sugar Hill is the music of Ellington and Strayhorn.
