This past March I traveled to the Netherlands to participate in the Metropole Orchestra Arrangers’ Workshop led by Vince Mendoza. This orchestra is the best hybrid big band and symphony in the world that specializes in jazz and pop music. It was an unbelievable experience. I met 7 other incredibly talented arrangers. We wrote music for a concert that featured guest vocalist Kurt Elling. You can watch the orchestra perform my arrangement of Keith Jarrett’s “Late Night Willie” featuring Kurt here. We also had to arrange 2 minute pieces which were assigned to us when we arrived. You can hear my arrangement of Charlie Parker’s “Bloomdido” here!