Born in Lee's Summit, Missouri, Metheny discovered his love of music at an early age. He began playing the trumpet at the age of eight, but switched to the guitar at twelve – the instrument that would shape his life. By the age of fifteen, he was already performing regularly with Kansas City's best jazz musicians, where he developed a musical maturity far beyond his years.
Metheny celebrated his international breakthrough in 1974 alongside vibraphonist Gary Burton. Even then, the individual style that makes him unmistakable to this day was already emerging: flexible, almost vocal articulation, a modern approach to improvisation that nevertheless remains deeply rooted in jazz, and an extraordinary sense of rhythm and harmony. With his debut album »Bright Size Life« (1975), he fundamentally renewed the sound of jazz guitar and inspired an entire generation of young musicians.
Hardly any other guitarist moves so naturally between genres and soundscapes. Metheny has worked with icons such as Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Milton Nascimento, and David Bowie, and has composed for solo guitar, ensembles, orchestras, ballet, and his groundbreaking »Orchestrion« project. He has always pushed stylistic boundaries and explored the technical possibilities of his instrument – whether with the Synclavier in the early years of electronic music or with innovative guitars such as the 42-string Pikasso guitar.
PERFORMERS
Pat Metheny guitar
PROGRAM
PAT METHENY
