Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest
Biographie Snarky Puppy & Metropole Orkest
Snarky Puppy
After a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred/New York-based quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all five of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016, 2017, 2021, and 2023), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.”
Snarky Puppy is a collective of sorts with as many as 25 members in regular rotation. They each maintain busy schedules as sidemen (with such artists as Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and D’Angelo), producers (for Kirk Franklin, David Crosby, and Salif Keïta), and solo artists (many of whom are on the band’s indy label, GroundUP Music). At its core, the band represents the convergence of both black and white American music culture with various accents from around the world. Japan, Argentina, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico all have representation in the group’s membership. But more than the cultural diversity of the individual players, the defining characteristic of Snarky Puppy’s music is the joy of performing together in the perpetual push to grow creatively.
The band was formed by bassist and primary composer Michael League in 2004, starting inconspicuously enough as a group of college friends at the University of North Texas’ Jazz Studies program. Three years later, a serendipitous intersection with the Dallas gospel and R&B community in Dallas transformed the music into something funkier, more direct, and more visceral. It was at this time that the group absorbed musicians like Robert “Sput” Searight (drums), Shaun Martin (keyboards), and Bobby Sparks (keyboards), and were heavily influenced by legendary keyboardist Bernard Wright (Miles Davis, Chaka Khan, Marcus Miller).
The Metropole Orkest
is known as one of the best orchestras in the world for playing orchestral “music with a groove”. We also play pop, soul, jazz, dance, hip-hop, film and world music. In addition, we are increasingly focusing on connecting these genres.
It’s 1945. The Dutch government and the Royal Family take an important decision from their exile in London. A new orchestra is founded to perform popular music at the highest level, bringing entertainment, hope, and connection to the damaged post-war Dutch society. Top musicians from across Europe were recruited to create a fresh and new sound, resulting in a large orchestra that included a full symphonic string section and big band. Now evolved into the internationally leading pop & jazz orchestra, we still play this role with full conviction: no performing arts institution reaches as many and as diverse groups in society.
Until 2013, the orchestra was funded by the Dutch Broadcasting Corporation. In 2013, the foundation of the Metropole Orkest Foundation was established, marking the first step in its autonomy. In recent times, the Metropole Orkest has taken more responsibility for its own funding and moves forward as a dynamic and independent organisation.
The Metropole Orkest plays pop, jazz, global and everything in between. By excelling in all those genres we are a driving force and pioneer in the development of today’s international musical landscape. Rooted in history as one of the cultural icons of the Netherlands, we embrace cultural diversity. The Metropole Orkest engages in groundbreaking experiments and collaborations. Our music has a profound impact on society, enriching and connecting our audience with creative energy, inspiration and emotion. By investing in the future, we inspire young talent and transfer our knowledge.
The Metropole Orkest, while respecting our heritage, is focused on the future. But whatever we do, with whom we collaborate and for whom we perform, we always do it at the highest possible level, shaping the musical future.
In the words of our chief conductor, Jules Buckley: “The Metropole Orkest is always striving to be a part of the evolution of the modern musical canon, working with the most current and modern artists. We have a responsibility as artists in the modern day to push the envelope, to innovate, to try stuff out and not rest in what we already know. In our hunger for innovation and growth, we’re dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, and that’s the way it should be. You know, nothing should get in the way of the art.”
Describing eight decades of musical work is a bit much, so here are a few highlights. The Metropole Orkest regularly performs on well-known Dutch music stages such as TivoliVredenburg, Melkweg, and the Concertgebouw, as well as many other venues across the country and neighboring countries. Internationally, the Metropole Orkest is a sought-after guest at major festivals including the BBC Proms and Musikfest Bremen. It is also a regular guest at events like ADE, North Sea Jazz, and the Holland Festival. The orchestra has also performed at Pinkpop, Lowlands, Noorderslag, and the 3FM Awards, making it well known and loved by a younger audience.
The orchestra has shared the stage with legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny, Brian Eno, Herbie Hancock, and Bono. It also collaborates with contemporary talents like Kovacs, Within Temptation, Snarky Puppy, Gregory Porter, Jacob Collier, Cory Wong, and DOMi & JD BECK. Together with chief conductor Jules Buckley, the orchestra explores the boundaries of contemporary symphonic pop and jazz.
The orchestra releases dozens of recordings each year. In addition to the many concerts, the Metropole Orkest regularly records albums with (inter-)national artists. It has also contributed to thousands of radio and TV broadcasts.
Over the years, Metropole Orkest received no less than 24 Grammy nominations and worked on 4 Grammy-winning productions. Most recently for ‘Best Contemporary Instrumental Album’ in 2016 with Snarky Puppy en in 2020 for the recording of Jacob Collier’s ‘All Night Long’ (Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals).
As the world’s leading pop and jazz orchestra, the Metropole Orkest is always looking to experiment and to be part of spectacular performances. The Metropole Orkest moves audiences. That is, after all, the real purpose of music.
