Patrick Bruce Metheny (born 12 August 1954 in Lee's Summit, Missouri USA) is an American jazz guitarist and leader of the Pat Metheny Group.
Roughly, Metheny's musical contexts separate into many branches: the Pat Metheny Group plus various collaborations, duets, solo works, and other side projects.
The Pat Metheny Group is a jazz band founded in 1977 (in an American Garage)
Core members of the group are all Guitarist and leader Pat Metheny, keyboard, guitar and pianist Lyle Mays, and Bassist, Guitar and Producer Steve Rodby who joined in 1980. Drummer Paul Wertico replacing Dan Gottlib was for more than 18 years lead drummer until 2001 where he was replaced by Antonio Sanches also member of Pat Metheny Trio. The current members are Pat Metheny (guitars), Lyle Mays (piano and keyboards), Steve Rodby (double bass, electric bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums), Cuong Vu (trumpet). The rest are hired regular for Group Tour apperiances Mark Ledford Vocal, whitsle, guitar, trumpet, harmonica, Armando Marcal Percussion, Pedro Aznar Vocal, whitsle, guitar, Richard Bonna Vocal, whitsle, guitar, trumpet, harmonica. On latest Tour : Grégoire Maret (harmonica, percussion, vocals) and Nando Lauria (guitar, percussion, vocals). Pat Metheny Trio has been running in between group apperiances for the last 20 years. Apart from members of the Pat Metheny Group, Pat also form trio or quartets with musicians like Dave Holland, Roy Hanes, John Scofield, Jack Dejonette, Herbie Hancock, Christian Bale, and many many others. Pat Metheny wrote the intire piece "Secret Story" playing most of the instruments and additionally wrote music for a string orchestra and produced also the music. He took it LIVE with the group in 1994. Pat Metheny also like's to join projects of all kinds both as a player and a writer. Notable the Project X which resulted the record of the same name; "Parallel Realities", "Jazz Baltica", with Ulf Wakenius and other nordic Jazz players. Lately been working a lot with Michael Brecker Saxophone and Larry Goldstein (Hammon Organ), Bill Stewart, (Drums). On top of that Pat Metheny has in collaporation with Lyle Mays written Music for 3 films. His been Touring without pause for more than 30 years, selling out statidum around the globe. Without dought a modern "Mozart" written +200 pieces continueing to push musical limits both when it comes to composeing and performing.
