Olympians

Description

Let yourself be seduced by this exceptional combination of some of the biggest names in jazz: Vince Mendoza leads his favorite orchestra, the Metropole Orkest, and invites the most acclaimed new voice in jazz right now on the centerpiece of their album: Cécile McLorin-Salvant. The result is a magnificent, floating piece that showcases the class of all its contributors, while remaining spontaneous, free, and fun. A 2023 collaborative album by Grammy Award-winning composer-conductor Vince Mendoza and the Netherlands’ Metropole Orkest. This powerful collaboration highlights 9 original compositions written by Mendoza over the course of his 27-year association with the orchestra. It features an additional special appearance by Dianne Reeves, singing Mendoza’s dynamic, Brazilian song “Esperanto” with lyrics by Kurt Elling, as well as “House of Reflections,” with lyrics by legendary British singer-songwriter Norma Winstone, beautifully performed by Cécile McLorin Salvant. Tenor saxophonist Chris Potter is featured on a turbo version of “Barcelone.” The recording also includes a blazing solo from saxophonist David Binney and additional groove moments from former Weather Report member Alex Acuna on percussion. Composer-arranger-conductor Vincent Mendoza has 35 Grammy Award nominations over the course of his rich career, including his sixth Grammy Award win for his latest album, ‘Freedom Over Everything’. For his next release, ‘Olympians’, Mendoza is joined by Metropole Orkest, which he has conducted as music director for six years. It is a brilliant record and, as the title suggests, triumphant, to add to Mendoza’s exceptional career. Mendoza has written arrangements for a wide variety of pop and jazz artists, from Joni Mitchell, Sting, Melody Gardot, Elvis Costello and Bjork to Joe Zawinul, John Scofield and Randy Brecker.