The Marshall University’s Jazz Ensemble I performed “The Nutcracker Suite” Wednesday, composed by Ellington, Strayhorn and Tchaikovsky.

The show started with “Overture” by Tchaikovsky and Strayhorn, which featured several solos. Wolfe said each song was written for individual players, unlike the standard way of writing music for groups and sections, so the hour-long show featured a solo for almost everyone.

The ensemble features 18 students, including one vocalist, Dominique Sears. Director Jeffrey Wolfe acknowledged the missing of one drum player, Keith Burgess, but his role was filled by Hogan Bentle who joined the group the day before the performance.

Because of the small size of the group, but the required number of instruments needed for the “The Nutcracker Suite,” the reed section had to double, and even triple up, on instruments. One student, Bobby Galloway, played Tenor Sax, Clarinet and Piccolo. Another student, Adam O’Neal, played Bari Sax and Bass Clarinet.

Buffy Six can be contacted at [email protected].