Vince Mendoza

Vince Mendoza ( born November 17, 1961 in Norwalk, Connecticut) is an American jazz musician (keyboards), composer and arranger.

Life and work

Mendoza played the trumpet during his high school years. He studied composition at Ohio State University and completed his training by a composition and conducting at the University of Southern California. During this time he met the drummer Peter Erskine know, with his band the album "Transition " was born. In the following years he composed and arranged several more titles for Erskine. He also arranged for the Yellowjackets ( "Greenhouse", 1991).

With great success, published by Blue Note Records his first two solo albums, " Start Here" and "Instructions Inside". He became known in Europe as a composer and arranger Through his work with the WDR Big Band in Cologne; the CD "The Vince Mendoza / Arif Mardin Project: Jazzpaña " did the honors with the " German Jazz Award " and him a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement. In the aftermath musicians such as Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden, Andy Narell, Kurt Elling and John Abercrombie played one of his compositions and arrangements.

His collaboration with the Metropole Orkest of the Netherlands began in 1995 with a project with saxophonist Bob Mintzer. As principal guest conductor of the orchestra, he worked with musicians such as Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock and The Brecker Brothers, he became chief conductor and artistic director in 2005. He arranged the music for dozens of jazz albums and legendary songwriters like Bjork, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, Jane Monheit, Bobby McFerrin and Joni Mitchell. For the new edition of " Both Sides Now " for Joni Mitchell, he received a Grammy in 2001, another in 2004 for the song "Woodstock". The orchestral arrangement of the album " Swing When You're Winning " by Robbie Williams come from him as well as to Lars von Trier's film " Dancer in the Dark ".

In addition, Mendoza composed for television ( and was nominated for an Emmy Award ) and for classical ensembles and orchestras. The Turtle Iceland String Quartet, the Debussy Trio and the Berlin Philharmonic performed his compositions. In 1999 he released his album " Epiphany " with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Disco printing specifications

Albums under his own name

With the Metropole Orkest

  • 2009 - El viento - The García Lorca Project ( ACT)
  • 2009 - Trijntje Oosterhuis: Best of Burt Bacharach Live ( EMI / Blue Note )
  • 2009 - Jim Beard: Revolutions ( Sunnyside )
  • 2010 - Chris Minh Doky / Larry Goldings / Peter Erskine: Scenes from a Dream ( Red Dot Music)
  • 2011 - Nights on Earth ( Art of Groove )

Albums as a sideman

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