Biography

Vince Mendoza has been at the forefront of the jazz scene as a composer and recording artist for the last 20 years. He has written scores of compositions and arrangements for big band as well as extended compositions for chamber and symphonic settings while his jazz composing credits read like a who's who of the best modern instrumentalists, singers and composers. He is the chief conductor of the Metropole Orchestra of the Netherlands.

Mr. Mendoza's arranging has appeared on many critically acclaimed projects that include dozens of albums and projects with songwriting legends such as Joni Mitchell, Björk and Elvis Costello. He has 2 Grammy awards and 13 nominations. He is the orchestral voice behind the score to Lars van Trier's Dancer in the Dark. Mendoza has also written commissioned compositions and arrangements for the London Symphony Orchestra, the Turtle Island String Quartet, the Debussy Trio, the L.A. Guitar Quartet, the Koln Radio Big Band, the Berlin Philharmonic and the BBC. His music was featured at the Berlin, Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals. He actively conducts concerts of his music in Europe, Japan, Scandinavia and the UK.

Professional Experience

Current Professional Affiliation(s):
Music director, Netherlands Metropole Orchestra
Composer
Career Highlights:

• Six critically acclaimed solo albums
• Arranger for Joni Mitchell, Björk, Elvis Costello, Herbie Hancock, Counting Crows
• Actively conducts concerts of his music in Europe, Japan, Scandinavia and the UK

Honors, Awards & Competitions:

• Two Grammy awards and 13 nominations
• Emmy nomination
• Swing Journal "Best Composer/Arranger"
• Edison jazz Award Nomination
• Jazziz magazine "Top Picks"

Music Festivals:

• Faculty and resident artist, Henry Mancini Institute
• Participant, Berlin Jazz festival
• Participant, Northsea Jazz Festival
• Participant, Montreux Jazz Festival

Recordings:

• Vince Mendoza: Epiphany with London Symphony Orchestra (SONY/BMG)
• Björk: Vespertine (Universal)
• Joni Mitchell: Travelogue (Nonesuch)
• Elvis Costello: Live at the Northsea (Deutsche Grammophon)

Compositions:

• Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, 2005 (for the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra)
• Solstice Poem, 2004 (for the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet)
• Sotto Voce, 2003 (for Charlie Haden)
• Scriabin, 1991 (for Michael Brecker)

Academic Degrees

• MM, University of Southern California, 1985
• BM, Ohio State University, 1983