Art Works Podcast: Pat Metheny -- Guitarist and 2018 NEA Jazz Master

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Guitarist and 2018 NEA Jazz Master Pat Metheny creates music that challenges easy description: he can play free jazz (as he did with Ornette Coleman in Song X) as well as acoustic guitar and pretty much everything in-between. In this tune-filled podcast, we talk to Pat Metheny about the music he plays, the people he’s played with and making the music you want while making a career in music.
Photo by John Peden
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[@RonCarterBassist]

Looking forward to playing with Mr. Metheny next year.

[@leilareed5064]

I absolutely love Pat Metheny's music 🎶 and will listen to anything he puts out😊

[@mikebozik]

Thank you so much!!!😊😊😊😊😊

[@tpbeal7804]

I'm going to hear Pat Nov. 13, 2021, in Bethesda. I'm 65 years old. It will be my sixth time hearing him in person since I first saw him in concert in 1973 in Kansas City. I was 16 years old. I know it's somewhat trite, but Metheny's music and creativity have had a deep impact on my life for which I will always be more than grateful.

[@jackski6964]

Saw him in Philly way back when, followed him throughout the years.he is a genius to me.

[@jeffreymonier832]

Thank you Norbert Jones(Detroit, Michigan) for sensing that I would enjoy Pat’s sound in 1978. Here I am 61yrs young & he has been a part of my family “Monier’s” for over 40 plus years & hopefully forever! (Be it Jah’s will) (Zephaniah 2:3) Jeffwah💥

[@heatherstub]

I've been trying to meet him for over 42 years now,especially after attending several of his concerts. He's coming here to Atlanta on March 26 at Symphony Hall, and I don't know how to go about meeting him. How can I make his acquaintance? He's been my biggest inspiration since I first heard him in 1979, and I don't want to miss yet another opportunity to spend some time sharing my story with him. My biggest thrill would be to sing the vocals for "The First Circle", and I hope I'm not too late! His music has allowed me to get to know myself in a whole different way than I ever felt possible. I also know what you mean about Jah's Will, and how important it is to recognize that Christ puts certain people in our lives to show us how important it is to see ourselves as we really are. It's both humbling and fascinating at the same time. He may or may not remember this, but if my hunch is correct, I think he will. It was 1983 when I attended his concert here in Atlanta at Cafe 290 in Sandy Springs, Georgia. I wanted to try to figure out what the rhythm was for "The First Circle." I was in the back of the audience with my twin sister and had recently completed two years of music theory in high school. Once I felt ready, I picked up a napkin and asked my twin sister to help me write it down and sign it. (Being totally blind since birth, I had learned Braille but not Braille music. I also had used a print reading device known as the Opticon. It allowed me to learn print letters as I moved the camera it contained. As it passed over the printed page, the letters would electrically vibrate onto my index finger of my left hand.) I wanted to make sure Pat could read what Maggie wrote on the napkin. An audience member who sat just one row over allowed us to use his felt tipp pen to write it out on the napkin, and she helped me sign my name. After passing it down through the audience to Pat, I waited until the end of the set he was performing. When Maggie saw him pick it up and read it, she could hardly contain her excitement. Then, he called my name and I stood up. Then, he asked me how sure I was that it was 18/8, to which I replied that I might have been a few beats off, but I felt I was pretty close. Then, he told me I'd come closer than anyone else who'd tried to figure it out and to give myself a pat on the back! Then, he told me it was 22/8. He told me I was on to something and to follow my dream. I've been singing ever since! Even now, I'm taking a refresher course at Berklee School of Music online. I'd wanted to major in music since 1979, but I faced much opposition by members of my family even to the point that I was threatened with disownment. That night was a turning point, because I wasn't happy before I discovered his music. On April 28, 1982, I first heard an interview with him, and I was smitten! It was almost like I'd found an older brother I didn't even know I'd had! It took a lot of time and many hardships to finally record my first EP in 2007 which I promoted for 13 years. I'm so glad I did. I'm also hoping to continue to study theory and composition through Berklee online, even though I learned music by ear. Knowing the language of music and learning all the rules of communication through it would help me be able to play and even publish my own music. It's as if I got a second chance to share my life's purpose, especially after many years with severe, chronic illness and two brain surgeries. Whenever I sing, I feel God's joy and pleasure, and that's always been the case since I was six years old. I simply can't quit, and I can't take "no" for an answer.

[@NeilRaouf]

Man I'd love to meet him once...

[@archiemelkonian]

Pat metheny!!!

[@tiluriso]

Nice interview. @ 25:40 - 53 = I wonder who are the 'only two guys he ever had to fire in 40 + years;.

[@NeilRaouf]

20:45 Lyle MayS with 'S' at the very end.

[@blakebranchbass]

Lyle May? Who's that? I've heard of Lyle Mays, but not May.

[@pat557]

Blake Branch Right? Amateur night for interviewers I guess...

[@eysikal]

I'm also not sure you can call "Watercolors" the first Pat Metheny Group album. But I appreciated this interview. Heard some new stuff from Pat.

[@hoffy1003]

Elaine May's long lost brother.

[@DucksDeLucks]

Downbeat Hall of Fame has some curious attitudes. Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, not good enough?

[@brendanmorrison5546]

DucksDeLucks - I understand your point, but maybe they look at people who not only play brilliantly, but also changed the perception of the instrument forever. Hence, Charlie Christian, Django, Wes and Pat. Mind you, Pat himself has spoken of John McLaughlin in this respect and said that he has revolutionised guitar playing on at least three occasions. Personally, I like all the people mentioned and many others - Allan Holdsworth, Johnny Smith, Martin Taylor, Ed Bickert, Barney Kessel..... How long have we got? Best wishes from England!