54 (album)

54 is an album of Metropole Orkest conducted by Vince Mendoza featuring jazz guitarist John Scofield, and was released in May 2010.^[1]

54
Studio album by Metropole Orkest featuring John Scofield
Released	May 2010[1]
Recorded	9–13 March 2009[1]
Studio	MCO Studio, Hilversum, Nederland[1]
Genre	jazz
Label	Emarcy
Metropole Orkest chronology
Crush (2010) 54 (2010) Moke + Metropole Orkest (2010)
John Scofield chronology
Piety Street (2009) 54 (2010) A Moment's Peace (2011)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
All About Jazz	[2]
The Guardian	[3]

At the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album,^[4] and Best Instrumental Arrangement went to Vince Mendoza for arranging "Carlos", the opening track.^[5]

John Bungey of The Times wrote: "The Dutch Metropole Orchestra surround Scofield's bluesy riffs with strings and brass and some tracks will be too soft-edged for hardcore jazz types. But Scofield is at his best, fluent, creative and funky, and an epic version of his old tune 'Twang' is a knock-out."^[6]

The Guardian's John Fordham commented: "The arrangements could have reflected [Scofield's] bite and pungency a little more, but there's plenty of punch to this set."^[3]

In a review for All About Jazz, John Kelman remarked: "Combining Mendoza's stunning arrangements and some of Scofield's best playing in years, 54 is a milestone in both artists' discographies... both artists transcend individual skill to create an hour-long whole that truly exceeds the sum of its many compelling parts."^[2]

Track listing

1. "Carlos" (John Scofield, arranged by Vince Mendoza) – 9:00
2. "Jung Parade" (Vince Mendoza) – 7:38
3. "Polo Towers" (John Scofield, arranged by Vince Mendoza) – 6:53
4. "Honest I Do" (John Scofield, arranged by Vince Mendoza) – 4:25
5. "Twang" (John Scofield, arranged by Vince Mendoza) – 9:24
6. "Imaginary Time" (John Scofield, arranged by Florian Ross) – 6:21
7. "Peculiar" (John Scofield, arranged by Vince Mendoza) – 7:40
8. "Say We Did" (Vince Mendoza) – 8:30
9. "Out Of The City" (John Scofield, arranged by Jim McNeely) – 5:34

Personnel

• John Scofield – guitar
• Metropole Orkest
  • Conductor – Vince Mendoza
  • Trumpet – Erik Veldkamp, Jan Hollander, Jelle Schouten, Ruud Breuls
  • Saxophone, Clarinet – Jos Beeren, Leo Janssen, Marc Scholten, Max Boeree, Paul van der Feen
  • Flute – Janine Abbas, Mariël van den Bos
  • Trombone – Bart van Lier, Jan Bastiani, Jan Oosting
  • French horn – Pieter Hunfeld
  • Bass trombone – Martin van den Berg
  • Oboe – Willem Luijt
  • Piano – Hans Vroomans
  • Guitar – Peter Tiehuis
  • Bass – Aram Kersbergen
  • Drums – Martijn Vink
  • Percussion – Eddy Koopman, Murk Jiskoot
  • Violin [1st Violin] – Alida Schat, Arlia de Ruiter, David Peijnenborgh, Denis Koenders, Erica Korthals Altes, Feyona van Iersel, Pauline Terlouw, Seija Teeuwen
  • Violin [2nd Violin] – Elizabeth Liefkes-Cats, Herman van Haaren, Lucja Domski, Marianne van den Heuvel, Merijn Rombout, Vera van der Bie, Wim Kok
  • Viola – Iris Schut, Isabella Petersen, Julia Jowett, Mieke Honingh, Norman Jansen
  • Cello – Annie Tangberg, Bastiaan van der Werf, Emile Visser, Jascha Albracht
  • Contrabass – Arend Liefkes, Erik Winkelmann, Tjerk de Vos
  • Harp – Joke Schonewille