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Jazz Articles about Vince Mendoza
About Vince Mendoza
Instrument: Composer / conductor
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by John Kelman
It's been nearly a decade since composer/arranger Vince Mendoza released the sweepingly orchestral Epiphany (Zebra, 1999), but he's been anything but inactive. The arranger/orchestrator of choice for artists including quirky popstress Bjork and her hit album Vespertine (Elektra, 2001), and Joni Mitchell--reinventing the iconic singer/songwriter's vast songbook on Both Sides Now (Reprise, 2000) and Travelogue (Nonesuch, 2002)--he's remained a vital part of the jazz sphere with his vivid big band arrangements for trumpeter Randy Brecker's Some Skunk Funk (Telarc, 2006) ...
read moreVince Mendoza: Color, Counterpoint and Open Ears
by Paul Olson
If Vince Mendoza were only known as a composer, he'd still be worth interviewing; his songs have been covered by Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Kurt Elling, Charlie Haden and John Abercrombie. He'd be fascinating to talk to if he were only known as a recording bandleader--his early records Start Here (Blue Note, 1990) and Instructions Inside (Blue Note, 1991), his big band CD Sketches (ACT, 1994) and his orchestral recording Epiphany (Zebra, 1999) are all jazz classics that stand up ...
read moreVince Mendoza/London Symphony Orchestra: Epiphany
by John Kelman
In and out of print since its initial release in '99, composer/arranger Vince Mendoza's Epiphany represents one of the finest examples of orchestration in a jazz setting. While there have been other fine examples of large-scale blending, they have often simply retrofitted existing material, as was the case with last year's Promises Kept, where pianist Steve Kuhn's compositions were lushly interpreted by arranger Carlos Franzetti.Mendoza is a composer in his own right who may not be known to ...
read moreVince Mendoza: Epiphany
by Dave Hughes
Vince Mendoza is a highly creative and cerebral composer and arranger. Epiphany represents perhaps his most ambitious work to date, a full symphonic program with jazz soloists. The program works the classical to jazz spectrum thoroughly, although most of the emphasis is on modern classical; the suite never quite lets loose on a full jazz romp. The moods range from soft and introspective to medium and mellow; there are no loud or fast passages. The opening movement is entirely soft ...
read moreVince Mendoza: Epiphany
by Dave Hughes
Vince Mendoza is a highly creative and cerebral composer and arranger. This release represents perhaps his most ambitious work to date, a full symphonic program with jazz soloists. The program works the classical to jazz spectrum thoroughly, although most of the emphasis is on modern classical; the suite never quite lets loose on a full jazz romp. The moods range from soft and introspective to medium and mellow; there are no loud or fast passages. The opening movement ...
read moreVince Mendoza: Epihpany
by Douglas Payne
Composer and arranger Vince Mendoza has explored differing varieties of orchestral music over some half dozen discs since 1988. But it's only for others (Clare Fischer's recent Latin Side and his Grammy nominated work on Blue Note's recent Brian Wilson tribute) that the talented 38-year old has worked with a string orchestra.With Epiphany, Mendoza gets the opportunity to pair his grand sensibilities (and sensitivities) with the London Symphony Orchestra, a distinctive aggregate familiar to many through its presence ...
read moreVince Mendoza: Epiphany
by Glenn Astarita
This writer first became aware of composer/arranger Vince Mendoza back in the 1980’s. His Blue Note releases, “Start Here” and “Instructions Inside” both featured an assemblage of cutting edge modern day jazz musicians such as, Peter Erskine and John Scofield. Mendoza’s writing and arranging skills were much ballyhooed; hence, critical acclaim was at his doorstep. Since then, Mendoza has been a busy lad working with the Yellowjackets, Al Jarreau, Al Dimeola, Joe Zawinul, Kyle Eastwood and the GRP All Star ...
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