Pat Metheny is an American jazz singer, musician and composer. He rose to fame as the leader and member of the popular Pat Metheny Group. Pat's style is difficult to describe in one word. It mainly included elements of progressive and contemporary jazz, Latin jazz and fusion.
The American singer is the owner of three gold discs. The musician has been nominated for a Grammy award 20 times. Pat Metheny is one of the most original performers of the last 20 years. He is also a talented musician who has taken unexpected turns in his career.
Childhood and youth of Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny is a native of the provincial town of Summit Lee (Missouri). It is not surprising that the boy from a young age wanted to make music. The fact is that his father, Dave, played the trumpet, and his mother, Lois, was a talented vocalist.
Delmare's grandfather was a professional trumpeter. Soon Pat's brother taught his younger brother to play the trumpet. The brother, head of the family and grandfather played trio at home.
The music of Glenn Miller was often heard in the Matins' house. From early childhood, Pat attended the concerts of Clark Terry and Doc Severinsen. The creative atmosphere at home, trumpet lessons, and event attendance helped Pat develop a genuine interest in music.
In 1964, Pat Metheny became interested in another instrument - the guitar. In the mid-1960s, The Beatles' tracks were heard in almost every home. Pat wanted to buy a guitar. Soon his parents gave him a Gibson ES-140 3/4.
Everything changed after listening to Miles Davis' album Four & More. The taste was also influenced by Wes Montgomery's Smokin' at the Half Note. Pat often listened to the musical compositions of The Beatles, Miles Davis and Wes Montgomery.
At the age of 15, fortune smiled at Pat. The fact is that he won a Down Beat scholarship to a week-long jazz camp. And his mentor was the guitarist Attila Zoller. Attila invited Pat Metheny to New York to see guitarist Jim Hall and bassist Ron Carter.
The creative path of Pat Metheny
The first serious performance took place in the Kansas City club. Coincidentally, University of Miami dean Bill Lee was there that evening. He was fascinated by the performance of the musician, turned to Pat with a proposal to continue his studies at a local college.
After spending a week in college, Metheny realized that he was not ready to absorb new knowledge. His creative nature was begging to come out. Soon he admitted to the dean that he was not ready for classes. He offered him a teaching job in Boston, as the college had recently introduced electric guitar as a course of study.
Pat soon moved to Boston. He taught at Berklee College with jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton. Metheny managed to gain a reputation as a child prodigy.
Presentation of Pat Metheny's debut album
In the mid-1970s, Pat Metheny appeared on a compilation under the informal name Jaco on the Carol Goss label. Interestingly, Pat did not know that he was being recorded. That is, the release of the album was a surprise for Metheny himself. A year later, the musician joined the Gary Burton band along with guitarist Mick Goodrick.
The release of Pat's official album was not long in coming. The musician expanded his discography with the compilation Bright Size Life (ECM) in 1976, with Jaco Pastorius on bass and Bob Moses on drums.
Already in 1977, the artist's discography was replenished with the second studio album Watercolors. The record was first recorded with pianist Lyle Mays, who became Metheny's regular collaborator.
Danny Gottlieb also took part in the recording of the collection. The musician took the place of the drummer in the first part of the Pat Metheny Group. And the fourth member of the group was bassist Mark Egan. He appeared on a 1978 LP by the Pat Metheny Group.
Participation in the Pat Metheny Group
The Pat Metheny Group was formed in 1977. The backbone of the group was guitarist and bandleader Pat Metheny, composer, keyboardist, pianist Lyle Mays, bassist and producer Steve Rodby. It is also impossible to imagine a group without Paul Huertico, who played percussion instruments in the band for 18 years.
In 1978, when the Pat Metheny Group compilation was released. A year later, the band's discography was replenished with the second studio album American Garage. The presented album took 1st position on the Billboard Jazz chart and hit various pop charts. Finally, the musicians have gained long-awaited popularity and recognition.
The musicians from the Pat Metheny Group proved to be incredibly productive. Within three years after the release of the second studio album, the band expanded its discography with the following albums:
- Offramp (ECM, 1982);
- live album Travels (ECM, 1983);
- First Circle (ECM, 1984);
- The Falcon and the Snowman (EMI, 1985).
The Offramp record marked the debut appearance of bassist Steve Rodby (replacing Egan) as well as guest Brazilian artist Nana Vasconcelos (vocals). Pedro Aznar joined the band at First Circle, while drummer Paul Vertico replaced Gottlieb.
The album First Circle was Pat's last compilation on ECM. The musician had disagreements with the director of the label, Manfred Aicher, and he decided to terminate the contract.
Metheny left his brainchild and went on a solo voyage. Later, the musician released a live album called The Road to You (Geffen, 1993). The record contained tracks from two of Geffen's studio albums.
Over the next 15 years, Park released over 10 studio albums. The artist managed to get high ratings. Almost every release of a new record was accompanied by tours.
Pat Metheny today
2020 has started off with good news for Pat Metheny fans. The fact is that this year the musician pleased his fans with the release of a new album.
The new record was called From This Place. Drummer Antonio Sanchez, double bassist Linda O. and British pianist Gwilym Simcock took part in the recording of the collection. As well as Hollywood Studio Symphony directed by Joel McNeely.
The album was warmly received by both fans and music critics. The collection includes 10 songs. Tracks deserve special attention: America Undefined, Wide and Far, You Are, Same River.
