Grammy winner to perform with jazz and symphony orchestras
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擲ix-time Grammy winner Vince Mendoza will visit Western Michigan University for a collaboration with the University Jazz Orchestra and University Symphony Orchestra in a concert of his compositions at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.
The performance will be preceded by a 7 p.m. discussion hosted by Dr. Robert White. Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors and $5 for students, and are available from Miller Auditorium or by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.
One of the most versatile and prolific composers, arrangers and conductors of the last two decades, multi-Grammy Award winner 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, Charlie Haden, Al Di Meola, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, the Yellowjackets and the GRP All-Stars. As a leader, Mendoza has released 10 recordings for the Blue Note, ACT, Blue Jackel and Zebra labels, including 1997's Epiphany with the London Symphony Orchestra and 2011's Nights on Earth, featuring an all-star cast and members of the Metropole Orkest, which Mendoza has led as chief conductor for the past six years.
Mondoza was recently honored with a Grammy Award for his work on the John Scofield "54" album on Emarcy records. It is his sixth Grammy and 25th nomination. His other award winning works include "Travelogue" and "Both Sides Now" with Joni Mitchell, both of which are considered masterpieces by many critics and musicians alike. Mendoza is the chief conductor of the Metropole Orkest in the Netherlands.
Bullock Music Performance Institute
Established in the fall of 1985 and renamed in 1988 in honor of its founder, the institute's mission is to add to the already rich cultural life of Kalamazoo by creating opportunities to develop closer personal and artistic ties between audience and performer. The institute has presented events ranging from formal evening concerts to daytime educational outreach events for students and local audiences of all ages.
For more information about the Wednesday evening concert series, call (269) 387-4704 or (269) 387-4678, or visit wmich.edu/music.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.