Like Bruce Hornsby, Pat Metheny attended the Berklee College of Music. He is a world renowned jazz guitarist.
Albums:
- Harbor Lights (album) – guitar on Harbor Lights, Talk of the Town, China Doll, The Tide Will Rise
- Hot House – guitar on White-Wheeled Limousine, Walk in the Sun, The Changes, Country Doctor; sitar on The Longest Night
- Greatest Radio Hits
Instruments:
Website: www.patmetheny.com
Pat Metheny history
- Early life: Pat Metheny was born on August 12, 1954, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He began playing guitar at the age of 15 and quickly developed a passion for music. Metheny was influenced by a range of artists, including jazz musicians, rock guitarists, and folk musicians.
- Education: He attended the University of Miami, where he studied jazz and improvisation. His time at university allowed him to develop his technique and musical vocabulary.
- Early career: Metheny’s career began to gain traction in the 1970s when he was invited to play with the renowned jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman. He released his debut album, “Bright Size Life,” in 1976, featuring bassist Jaco Pastorius and drummer Bob Moses. This album helped establish Metheny’s reputation as a unique voice in jazz guitar.
- Pat Metheny Group: In 1978, Metheny formed the Pat Metheny Group, which became known for its fusion of jazz, rock, and world music elements. The group released several influential albums, including “Offramp” (1982), “Still Life (Talking)” (1987), and “Letter from Home” (1989). These works featured intricate compositions, rich melodies, and a blend of acoustic and electronic instruments.
- Innovative techniques: Metheny is known for his use of various guitar techniques, including harmonics, fingerpicking, and using synthesizers. He has also developed his own guitar models in collaboration with manufacturers, including the “Metheny model” with Gibson and the “P-M Model” with PRS.
Pat Metheny collaborations
Pat Metheny has collaborated with numerous artists across different genres, showcasing his versatility and musical creativity:
- Ornette Coleman: Metheny played on Coleman’s album “Song X” (1986), which featured a unique blend of jazz and avant-garde elements.
- Jaco Pastorius: The legendary bassist appeared on Metheny’s debut album and collaborated on several projects throughout their careers.
- David Bowie: Metheny contributed guitar work on Bowie’s album “The Buddha of Suburbia” (1993), further demonstrating his ability to cross genres.
- Lyle Mays: A long-time collaborator and pianist, Mays co-wrote many of Metheny’s compositions and played a significant role in the Pat Metheny Group’s sound.
- Michael Brecker: The influential saxophonist collaborated with Metheny on various projects, including the album “Michael Brecker” (1997).
- Charlie Haden: The legendary bassist worked with Metheny on the album “Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories)” (1997), which featured a beautiful blend of jazz and folk influences.
- Herbie Hancock: Metheny has collaborated with the renowned pianist on various occasions, including the Grammy-winning album “Gershwin’s World” (1998).
- Chris Thile: The mandolin virtuoso and member of Nickel Creek has worked with Metheny on several projects, blending bluegrass and jazz elements.