54 is the result of the collaboration between guitarist John Scofield and arranger Vince Mendoza, started in the 1990s, and named after the number of members of the Metropole Orchestra. Scofield guest-starred on Mendoza's debut album at the time. When he was appointed conductor of the Metropole Orkest, he and Scofield decided to resume the collaboration with the focus on Mendoza's arrangements for
… Scofield's compositions. The music on 54 was initially intended for small ensembles. In the skillful hands of the musicians of the Metropole Orchestra, none of these compositions loses any of the purity of the original material. In fact, the drama is expanded and a sense of grandeur is added. Scofield's compositions are enhanced by Mendoza ' s arrangements that are rightly compared to those of Gil Evans. Scofield's sharp guitar sound swims like a fish in water in the majestic, warm tapestry of the orchestra. (AD)more
