Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 12, 1954 in Lee's Summit, MO

 

Pat Metheny is a renowned American jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader. He was born on August 12, 1954, in Lee's Summit, Missouri, to a musical family. His father, Dave Metheny, was a trumpet player, and his mother, Lois Metheny, was a pianist and a music teacher. Pat Metheny started playing the trumpet at the age of eight, but he switched to the guitar when he was twelve years old. Metheny's early musical influences were jazz guitarists like Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and George Benson. He also listened to rock bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. Metheny started playing in local bands in Kansas City when he was a teenager. He attended the University of Miami in Florida, where he studied with jazz guitar legend, Pat Martino. Metheny's professional career started in the mid-1970s when he joined Gary Burton's band as a guitarist. He recorded several albums with Burton, including "Ring" and "Dreams So Real." Metheny's first solo album, "Bright Size Life," was released in 1976. The album featured bassist Jaco Pastorius and drummer Bob Moses. It was well-received by critics and established Metheny as a rising star in the jazz world. Metheny formed his own band, the Pat Metheny Group, in 1977. The group's first album, "Pat Metheny Group," was released in 1978. The album featured Metheny on guitar, Lyle Mays on keyboards, Mark Egan on bass, and Dan Gottlieb on drums. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance. The Pat Metheny Group released several more albums in the 1980s, including "American Garage," "As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls," and "First Circle." The group's music was a blend of jazz, rock, and world music influences. Metheny's guitar playing was characterized by his use of a guitar synthesizer, which allowed him to create a wide range of sounds and textures. Metheny also collaborated with other musicians during this time. He recorded an album with pianist Lyle Mays called "Aspen" in 1979. He also recorded an album with bassist Charlie Haden called "Beyond the Missouri Sky" in 1997. Metheny's collaborations with other musicians showcased his versatility as a guitarist and composer. Metheny continued to release albums with the Pat Metheny Group in the 1990s and 2000s. The group's album "Still Life (Talking)" won a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance in 1988. The group's album "The Way Up" won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2006. Metheny's solo albums during this time included "Secret Story" in 1992 and "One Quiet Night" in 2003. "Secret Story" was a concept album that explored Metheny's family history and his love of American folk music. "One Quiet Night" was a solo acoustic guitar album that showcased Metheny's virtuosity as a guitarist. Metheny's music has been characterized by his use of technology and his willingness to experiment with different musical styles. He has incorporated elements of rock, folk, classical, and world music into his compositions. He has also used a variety of instruments, including guitar synthesizers, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars. Metheny has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He has won 20 Grammy Awards, including Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Best Contemporary Jazz Performance, and Best New Age Album. He has also been inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame and the Missouri Music Hall of Fame.

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