Pat Metheny

Patrick Bruce Metheny (born 12 August 1954 in Lee's Summit, Missouri USA) is an American jazz guitarist and leader of the Pat Metheny Group.

Influences

Metheny maintains that he plays what he would like to hear as a listener. His curiosity has meant that his compositional style has absorbed a fairly eclectic mix of influences. In turn he has himself been influential for a vast number of younger musicians. This is documented by the number of his compositions played by other musicians; and the number of younger players Metheny integrates into the Pat Metheny Group and various other settings.

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Composition

In particular, he has been influenced by Brazilian music--both the European-influenced jazz sound of the bossa nova and the intensely polyrhythmic Afro-Brazilian sounds of the country's northeast. Metheny has lived in Brazil and performed with several local musicians such as Milton Nascimento and Toninho Horta.

Related Topics:
Brazilian music - Bossa nova - Brazil - Milton Nascimento - Toninho Horta

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Metheny has also named Ornette Coleman as a musical influence. He has recorded Coleman compositions on a number of his records (starting with a medley of "Round Trip" and "Broadway Blues" on his debut Bright Size Life); worked extensively with Coleman collaborators such as Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman, and Billy Higgins; and has even made a record, Song X, with Coleman.

Related Topics:
Ornette Coleman - Charlie Haden - Dewey Redman - Billy Higgins

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Guitar

As a guitarist, Metheny cites Wes Montgomery as his biggest early influence. His playing (as well as his tone) also show significant influence by Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, and other classic jazz players.

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