© Pieter Kunnen
The Jong Metropole Symphonic Jazz Orchestra combines the excellent playing traditions of classical music and the swing, improvisation and timing from jazz music. Established in 2015, the Jong Metropole Symphonic Jazz Orchestra consists of the top music students from both the classical and jazz departments of the Dutch conservatoires. It is a full symphony orchestra with integrated big band based on the model of its professional brother and multiple Grammy Award-winning Metropole Orkest. For the programme Let the Good Times roll, the orchestra will also include vocals. The Jong Metropole Symphonic Jazz Orchestra seeks to challenge boundaries of current symphonic jazz and pop as well as playing world music, film scores and new compositions. The orchestra has worked with renowned conductors, composers and soloists such as Vince Mendoza, Jules Buckley, Jochen Neuffer, Miho Hazama, Tom Cohen, members of Snarky Puppy, saxophonist Donny McCaslin and soul-singer Michelle David. The Jong Metropole Symphonic Jazz Orchestra forms a bridge between the conservatoires and professional practice and is seen as an important addition to the resume of music students in the Netherlands.
Konzerthaus Berlin
© Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg
© Steven Haberland
The many professional triumphs of the conductor, composer and arranger Chris Walden can hardly be summarized in a few words: he was nominated for seven Grammy Awards, has composed the soundtracks to more than 40 films and television series, and has approximately 1,500 arrangements for orchestra or big band to his name as well. The palette of stars he has collaborated with ranges from Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney and Seal to Stevie Wonder, Rihanna and Barbra Streisand. As an arranger and bandleader, he has worked with jazz luminaries such as Diana Krall, Herb Alpert, Michael Brecker and Arturo Sandoval. Born Christian Waldemar Schulz in Hamburg, as a 16-year-old he wrote his first arrangements for his high school’s band, later joining the newly-founded Bundesjazzorchester as a trumpet player. Assisting Peter Herbolzheimer, Walden arranged the music for the movie Schtonk before moving to Los Angeles for good at the age of 29. There, he most recently composed the film music for The Terror of Hallow’s Eve (2017) and King of Herrings (2013); since 2019 he has been responsible for music at the annual Oscar Awards Ceremony.
© Privat
Bernard van Rossum is a tenor and soprano saxophone player, composer, arranger and educator. He leads the Bernard van Rossum Quartet, recently releasing the album Trampoline, alongside longstanding bandmates Xavi Torres (piano), Marco Zenini (bass) and Joan Terol (drums). He also leads, directs, composes and arranges for the award-winning BvR Flamenco Big Band. Bernard van Rossum teaches at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Codarts in Rotterdam. He is an arranger for other ensembles such as the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble and the Ricciotti Ensemble. He is also a versatile sideman, playing in acclaimed projects like the Vuma Levin Quintet, Sam Newbould Quintet or Vernon Chatlein Group. His composing and arranging have earned him various accolades, among the most recent the Rogier van Otterloo Award 2022, Concurso de arreglos de big band SGAE 2022 and the Canarias Big Band Composition Contest 2021. Bernard van Rossum grew up in a multicultural setting, born and raised in Spain by an English mother and Dutch father. After completing a biology degree at the University of Edinburgh, he studied saxophone in Barcelona, at the University of North Texas and at the Amsterdam Conservatory.
It is with great regret that we have to cancel this year's public festival due to the extensive construction work at the Gendarmenmarkt. We hope to be able to celebrate with you again next year at the Gendarmenmarkt.
Gallery Photos: © Tom Schweers
About the Concert
Jazz with violins, an orchestra with saxophones? The velvety synergy of jazz and classic is the calling of the Jong Metropole Symphony Jazz Orchestra. Its programme “Let the Good Times Roll” gives the young musicians the chance to present their unique interpretations of jazz and swing standards by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole, among others.
With guest conductor Chris Walden – jazz icon and chief arranger of the annual Oscars Ceremony – they bring a bit of Hollywood glamour to Young Euro Classic, and with Bernard van Rossum’s work Fantasía por tanguillos even have a German premiere on their music stands.
