Pat Metheny

Rare is the improvising artist who reaches the wider audience without diluting his art. Rarer still is such an artist who sees his audience expand apace with his musical vision. At 43, Pat Metheny- virtuoso guitarist, multi-faceted composer, innovative producer and guitar synthesizer pioneer- finds himself in a most enviable position, primarily the result of an insatiable musical intelligence and seemingly unflagging energy. "Running" aptly describes his fast-forward career.

Born August 12, 1954 in a rural exurb of Kansas City called Lee's Summit, Missouri, Pat Metheny has been a professional musician for virtually half of his life. The guitarist's credentials, even outside of the Pat Metheny Group, are most impressive. An instructor while still in his teens at both the University of Miami and Boston's Berklee College of Music, Pat joined Gary Burton's band at age 19. During his three year stay (1974-77), Pat was featured on three of the vibraphonist's ECM albums (Ring, Dreams So Real and Passengers). Pat has performed and/or recorded with some of the most innovative musicians of the past two decades: Gary Burton, Paul Bley, Sonny Rollins, Steve Swallow, Dewey Redman, Paul Motian, Hubert Laws, Roy Haynes, Miroslav Vitous, Dave Liebman, Eberhard Weber, Julius Hemphill, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden, Billy Higgins, Ornette Coleman, Milton Nascimento, Herbie Hancock, Steve Reich, Joshua Redman, Bruce Hornsby and Trilok Gurtu. In 1979, he was a member of Joni Mitchell's stellar backing group for her Shadows and Light tour. Having recorded 23 records in 21 years, Metheny's singular approach has been captured in a variety of settings, each a distinctive piece of a bold, larger design.

In the past few years, Pat has: 997 Received a declaration from the Governor of Missouri proclaiming February 25th, Charlie Haden/ Pat Metheny Day in honor of the Missouri natives' unyielding artistic contribution to the arts and to celebrate the release of their new record Beyond The Missouri Sky. Toured with Michael Brecker, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette and Joey Calderazzo in support of Michael's recording Tales From The Hudson. The recording won a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance and Best Jazz Instrumental Solo (Michael Brecker). Released Beyond The Missouri Sky with Charlie Haden on February 25th to extraordinary reviews. Recorded with Marc Johnson's group, Bass Desires (featuring Bill Frisell and Joey Baron) on the recording, The Sound Of Summer Running, scheduled for release February 1998. Performed on Dave Liebman's new record which is scheduled for release in May 1997. 1996 Joined avant-garde guitar great, Derek Bailey and drummers Paul Wertico and Greg Bendian to record The Sign Of 4, a triple CD of live and studio recordings on Knitting Factory Records. Performed at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz's 10th Anniversary TV show. Artists who appeared were Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Clark Terry, Joshua Redman, Ron Carter, George Benson, Jimmy Heath, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder and others. Released the new Pat Metheny Group recording "Quartet" on Geffen Records. The recording features the core group of Pat, Lyle, Steve and Paul. The album reached the Number 1 spot on the Billboard Jazz Chart two weeks after it's release. Performed with the Jim Hall Trio as part of the Smithsonian Institute's program on the history of the electric guitar. Performed on the last Tony Williams recording, Wilderness with Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker and Stanley Clarke.