Since the release of his first album, “Bright Size Life” in 1975, Metheny has reinvented the traditional jazz guitar sound for a new generation of players, re-defining the genre by using new technology to evolve the improvisational and sonic potential of his instrument.
1/13/2017
Eastern Connecticut State University
Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall
83 Windham Street
Willimantic, CT06226
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Driving Directions
Pat Metheny was born in Kansas City in 1954 into a musical family. Starting on trumpet at the age of eight, Metheny switched to guitar at age 12. By the age of 15, he was working regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City.He first burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over the course of his three-year stint with vibraphonist Gary Burton, Pat was already displaying his trademark playing style, blending the fluid sound of horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility—a style of improvisational playing that was contemporary yet grounded in the jazz tradition of melody, swing and the blues.
Metheny’s versatility is nearly without peer on any instrument. Over the years, he has performed with a diverse set of artists, including Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Milton Nascimento and David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar, small ensembles, electric and acoustic instruments, large orchestras, and ballet pieces, with settings ranging from modern jazz to rock to classical.
In addition to being an accomplished musician, Metheny has also made a contribution as a music educator. He has taught music workshops all over the world, from the Dutch Royal Conservatory to the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz, to clinics in Asia and South America.
Over the years, Metheny has won countless polls as “Best Jazz Guitarist”; produced three gold records — “Still Life (Talking),” “Letter from Home” and “Secret Story”; and won 20 Grammy Awards in 12 different categories, including Best Rock Instrumental, Best Contemporary Jazz Recording, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo and Best Instrumental Composition.
