Latest Projects
Metropole Orkest & Sheléa: Aretha Franklin – Queen of Soul
I’m very glad to be conducting this brilliant project, originally put together by Jules Buckley for the 2022 BBC Proms.
Metropole Orkest, conducted by Jochen Neuffer pays tribute to the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin. Together with singer Sheléa and Vula’s Chorale this tribute celebrates the career of eight-time Grammy Award winner Franklin, who was one of the world’s bestselling artists.
Her songs will be performed by singer/songwriter Sheléa, who, like Aretha Franklin, grew up as a daughter of a pastor in Detroit, Michigan. Starting out her music career singing in church at the age of 11, Aretha Franklin’s music has always been a part of her life.
Come an join us in Terneuzen (NL), Saturday, October 21
BBC Proms: Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions with Cory Henry
Yet another fantastic BBC Prom in the books! I had a lot of fun arranging for this very special project:
Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions with singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and keyboardist Cory Henry backed by Jules Buckley & his orchestra featuring Vula’s Chorale, Lianne La Havas, Laura Mvula and Shelea.
The impact of Stevie Wonder’s 1973 hit album Innervisions is still felt by musicians and listeners to this day. Part of a triumvirate of consecutive Grammy winning albums, Innervisions highlighted Wonder’s genius work both as performer and studio producer.
Metropole Orkest & European Space Agency: Solar Orbiter
The Metropole Orkest and the European Space Agency (ESA) are joining forces to pay tribute to the sun, a beautiful and terrifying giant, which provides light, warmth and nourishment to life on the earth, in the oceans and in the air.
With the most beautiful music inspired by the sun and fascinating images from the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, the Metropole Orkest conducted by Jochen Neuffer and ESA scientist Mark McCaughrean take you on an extraordinary space mission towards the sun.
Come and join us in Emmen (April 21), Den Haag (April 22), Maastricht (April 24), Amsterdam (April 25) or Tilburg (April 28).
Dee Dee Bridgewater & The Norwegian Radio Orchestra
In late November we taped our Christmas concert (or “Julekonsert” as our Norwegian friends say) with legend Dee Dee Bridgewater and the brilliant Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK). In their legendary Oslo “Store Studio” we met with Kjetil Bjerkestrand (piano/arrangements), Eivind Aarset (guitar), Audun Erlien (bass) & Pål Hausken (drums) and recorded a 60-minute TV special which will air on December 10, 19:50h CET on Norwegian’s NRK 1.
I had a fantastic time in Oslo conducting this beautiful project so don’t miss out on our selection of Winter and Christmas songs to make your Advent season complete!
In case you have missed the broadcast, click here:
BBC Proms: Aretha Franklin – Queen of Soul feat. Sheléa
BBC Proms once again! Jochen contributed half a dozen new orchestral arrangements for a one-off concert in which Jules Buckley and his newly formed orchestra are honouring legendary singer Aretha Franklin. Joined by American singer and Quincy Jones protégée Sheléa they showcase songs made famous by the Queen of Soul.
This concert has been broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and on BBC Four and is still available on the BBC iPlayer.
Robbie Williams “XXV” to be released in September
Celebrating 25 years as a solo artist Robbie Williams announced the release of “XXV” on Columbia Records on September 9, 2022.
This collection of smash hit tunes will be much more than a simple Greatest Hits album: Lead by Jules Buckley we newly orchestrated and re-recorded all of his classic hits.
“XXV” will be available in CD (standard and deluxe), vinyl and cassette.
The album will feature Jochen’s arrangements of “Rock DJ”, “Supreme” and “The Road to Mandalay”.
Thomas Dybdahl & Metropole Orkest
We had an incredible week with extraordinary singer-songwriter Thomas Dybdahl and the ever versatile Metropole Orkest conducted by Jochen Neuffer providing the most beautiful orchestral backdrop for Thomas’ storytelling in Tilburg (April 14), Rotterdam (April 15) and Utrecht (April 17). I wouldn't have missed these gigs for the world!
But there’s more to come… so stay tuned!
Ledisi receives Grammy nomination for “Ledisi sings Nina”
Massive congrats to the one and only Ledisi who just received a 2022 Grammy nomination for her album “Ledisi sings Nina” in the category “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album”.
I’m very proud that with “My Baby Just Cares for Me” and “Feeling Good” two arrangements of mine are featured on this record, which is Ledisi’s homage to Nina Simone, a programme beautifully put together by Jules Buckley for the 2019 BBC Proms.
Amsterdam Dance Event 2021 – Metropole Orkest & Weval
Metropole Orkest on fire, conducted by Jochen Neuffer and kicking off the Amsterdam Dance Event for the 5th year in a row! This time in a wicked collaboration with Dutch electronic band Weval, who generously let us mess with their music in front of a packed audience at Melkweg Amsterdam.
My fellow arrangers Callum Au, Simon Dobson and Tom Trapp contributed some brilliant charts for this project, which we pulled off in a staggering 10 days only…
BBC Proms 2021: Moses Sumney / Jules Buckley / BBC SO
Arrangements for an exciting project in London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall: For this year’s BBC Proms the BBC Symphony Orchestra and its Creative Artist in Association Jules Buckley team up with singer-songwriter Moses Sumney.
Moses is performing songs from his albums “Aromanticism” and “græ” in new orchestral arrangements.
London, Royal Albert Hall – Saturday, August 21
Live radio broadcast on BBC Radio 3
TV Broadcast on BBC Four – Friday, September 2
Danny Vera & Metropole Orkest conducted by Jochen Neuffer
The Metropole Orkest conducted by Jochen Neuffer were teaming up with Danny Vera, best known for his distinctive and authentic Americana sound, to perform in one of the world’s most famous concert halls, legendary Concertgebouw Amsterdam for their 2021 Bank Giro Lotereij Summer Concerts.
For the first time in over 9 months, we were allowed to play in front of a live audience again. We definitely have missed you!
Unfortunately, the capacity of the hall was still limited due to Covid regulations. But don’t you worry, we’re already working on new dates…
“Ledisi sings Nina” was released on July 23, 2021
Twelve-time Grammy nominated powerhouse vocalist Ledisi has released “Ledisi sings Nina”, her homage to legendary Nina Simone, on July 23, 2021 featuring special guests Lisa Fischer, Lizz Wright and Alice Smith, with arrangements by Jochen Neuffer and conducted by Jules Buckley.
Stream & Download here – Vinyl coming in autumn 2021!
Paul Weller & BBC Symphony Orchestra
Orchestral arrangements for British singer-songwriter legend Paul Weller and his performance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley.
James Morrison, Boy George and Celeste joined as special guests for this special one-off concert.
(05/2021)
Metropole Orkest – “The Music of Charles Mingus”
Transition Festival Utrecht
Extraordinary program full of surprises honouring the music of Jazz bassist, composer and band leader Charles Mingus.
The Metropole Orkest conducted by Jochen Neuffer is joined by soloists Angelo Verploegen (tp), Pablo Martinez (tbn) and Joris Roelofs (bs cl).
(03/2021)
Altin Gün & Metropole Orkest
Collaboration with Grammy nominated Turkish-Dutch band “Altin Gün”, who bring Anatolian Rock and Psychedelic Turkish Folk back to life.
arranged & conducted by Jochen Neuffer
(09/2020)
Netherlands Chamber Orchestra – SOUK Festival
Celebrating the exhilarating combination of Arab and Western music, Amsterdam’s SOUK Festival is inviting Lebanese vocalist Nawal El Zoghbi and her band to join The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jochen Neuffer at Concertgebouw Amsterdam.
Together with the National Ballet’s beautiful choreography and a food market in the Concertgebouw foyers recreating the atmosphere of Marrakech’s traditional street food markets this evening is appealing to all your senses.
Arrangements for Ibeyi
Orchestral arrangements for Afro-French-Cuban electronic-soul duo “Ibeyi”, consisting of twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz for their collaboration with the Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley for the Metropole Session series.
(11/2019)
BBC Proms “The Breaks” with The Heritage Orchestra
Arrangements for “Prom 64: The Breaks”. Take the most infectious bit of a funk record that makes people dance, and repeat it. These are “The Breaks”. Witness the Heritage Orchestra, with Jules Buckley and special guests, slice up and reimagine these iconic tracks that spawned breaking and formed the origins of hiphop – a culture that has risen from a single moment on the sidewalks of the Bronx nearly 50 years ago.
(09/2019)
BBC Proms “Mississippi Goddam” – An Homage to Nina Simone
Arrangements for the BBC Prom “Mississippi Goddam”. Singer, songwriter, arranger and political activist Nina Simone is a giant of jazz history. She’s celebrated here in all her guises in a concert led by Jules Buckley and the Metropole Orkest.
“One of the highlights of the Prom was the orchestral opening, functioning as a kind of overture, blending Simone’s “African Mailman” and “Sinnerman”. Jochen Neuffer’s sparkling orchestration changes feel every few bars, offering a full orchestral showcase.” [theprickle.org 08/2019]
Quincy Jones – Soundtrack of the 80’s
Jochen arranged several of Quincy Jones’ classic tunes and conducted the fabulous Quincy Jones Orchestra feat. Beverly Knight, Jonah Nilsson, Sheléa, Daley & James Morrison in rehearsals, before Jules Buckley took over the baton in London’s “The O2 Arena”.
(06/2019)
Arrangements for Cory Wong
Arrangements for Cory Wong and his collaboration with the Metropole Orkest conducted by Vince Mendoza.
The album recorded live in Amsterdam is available on all streaming platforms and also as a pretty cool white double vinyl!
(11/2019)
Studio sessions for Jacob Collier
Jochen conducted the Metropole Orkest in a couple of the orchestral studio sessions for Jacob Collier’s album “Djesse Vol. 1” on behalf of Jules Buckley.
For “All Night Long”, Jacob was awarded with a Grammy Award in the category “Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals”.
(12/2018)
Conducting Bryan Ferry & Metropole Orkest
For the concerts taking place in the Netherlands and in Belgium, Bryan Ferry, founding member of legendary Roxy Music and his band were teaming up with the Metropole Orkest conducted by Jochen Neuffer to perform songs from Ferry’s four-and-a-half decade long career.
Originally, Ferry has performed his songs in an orchestral setting earlier this year in a one-off performance at the Hollywood Bowl but decided to exclusively play this programme again with the Metropole Orkest.
(06/2018)
Classic Lounge Collective
For the world-class Dutch ensemble “Classic Lounge Collective” consisting of a classical string quartet and a contemporary rhythm section Jochen has composed and arranged a couple of Lounge and Neo Soul tracks.
Stay tuned for the release of their debut album.
(04/2018)
