Metropole Orkest is a Dutch jazz and pop orchestra based in Hilversum, founded in 1945 by Dolf van der Linden at the initiative of Netherlands Public Broadcasting. The largest full-time ensemble of its kind in the world, it fields between 52 and 97 musicians and blends symphony orchestra, big band and jazz idioms in a single ensemble. Over its history the orchestra has accumulated 24 Grammy nominations and contributed to four Grammy-winning recordings, working with artists ranging from Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie to Snarky Puppy, Jacob Collier and DOMi & JD Beck.
In June 2026, Metropole Orkest released the album CIANI/ORKEST in collaboration with electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani and conductor Simon Dobson; the recording was made live at Amsterdam Dance Event.
In January 2026, Metropole Orkest performed in Lugano alongside American singer Ledisi with a tribute to Nina Simone conducted by Jules Buckley.
In November 2025, Metropole Orkest released the album Somni with Snarky Puppy - the second joint live album after the Grammy-winning Sylva; the recording was made in January 2025 in Utrecht.
In September 2025, Metropole Orkest released the first single Waves Upon Waves from the album Somni on all streaming platforms.
The album Olympians with compositions by Vince Mendoza was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album category at the 66th Grammy Awards ceremony in 2024.
