Pittsburgh-Jazz.com Pat Metheny InterviewPat Metheny - jazz guitaristPittsburgh Jazz -- Pittsburgh-Jazz.comPat Metheny interview By Mark O’Keefe
Herald-Standard Reprinted with permission... Anyone coming to see Pat Metheny this weekend at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild on Pittsburgh’s North Side won’t have to wait long to hear the much-acclaimed jazz guitarist play some tunes from his new solo CD "One Quiet Night". The new CD features Metheny playing an acoustic, baritone guitar without any overdubs or extra parts. "I expect that I will sort of ‘open’ the concert with a solo set on the baritone," said Metheny. "Playing solo is something new to me. I never really did it much or even thought much about it. I have really been enjoying it at this fairly late date. I’m also learning a lot from the experience of it." But after that set it will be back to the more familiar trio setting with Metheny playing alongside drummer Antonio Sanchez and bass guitarist Christian McBride. And as much as Metheny is beginning to like playing solo, he admits there’s still something fascinating about the trio format. "Playing trio is something that I have done a lot of from the very beginning," said Metheny. "I think it is just an incredibly challenging and stimulating playing environment, and I think that is what keeps me coming back for more year after year. "Each trio that I have had has actually been quite different from the others in terms of strengths and opportunities and the tunes that I have written for each one hopefully reflects this. This particular combination is exciting for the amazing virtuosity that both Antonio and Christian share as well as the widest possible stylistic reach I could ever imagine. "This trio could do just about anything, and I have a feeling that we probably will." Metheny said he had thought about playing with Sanchez and McBride for a number of years, and the combination has worked out better than expected. "I have been friends with Christian for many years, and we have played together here and there lots of times. It had been awhile since we had done anything together, and I really missed playing with him. "Antonio has been in my regular group for the past two years, and I can’t even begin to express how much I admire his musicianship and how much I love playing with him. Christian and Antonio had never played together before this tour but I felt they would be a perfect match for each other, and it has turned out that I was right." Of course playing solo and trio sets in the same concerts isn’t anything new for Metheny, who’s known for his incredible versatility. He’s made a career out of playing different types of jazz from fusion to straight ahead to avant-garde sometimes on the same CD or even the same song. Over the years he’s played with just about every living jazz legend, including Charlie Haden, Jim Hall, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Roy Haynes, Dave Holland, Gary Burton and Milton Nascimento. In the meantime, he’s maintained his own group combining with keyboardist Lyle Mays to form a writing team for over 20 years. He’s also performed on CDs with rock stars David Bowie and Joni Mitchell and composed film scores for such movies as "A Map of the World", "Twice in a Lifetime," and "The Falcon and The Snowman". Somehow or perhaps because of his endless creativity, Metheny has also won unprecedented commercial success for a jazz musician, making three gold records "Still Life (Talking)", "Letter from Home", and "Secret Story" and winning 15 Grammys, including one for Best Contemporary Jazz last year for "Speaking of Now". His group, The Pat Metheny Group won seven consecutive Grammys for seven straight CDs. Like his music, Methany’s Grammys have been spread out over numerous categories including Best Rock Instrumental, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo and Best Instrumental Composition. Over the years, he’s also hit the road at a torrid pace, playing between 120-140 shows a year. He’s slowed down somewhat lately but not by much. "I play fewer gigs than I used to, but still way more than most people," said Metheny. "I still enjoy it the same. If anything, it’s easier now because I really know how to pace the day. I have had a lot of practice at it by this time." Metheny said he’s looking forward to playing at the MCG, where he’ll be performing two shows Friday and Saturday nights at 7 and 9:30 and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.. For more ticket information call the MCG at 412-322-0800 or visit www.mcgjazz.org. "I love the MCG and everything it stands for," said Metheny. "It is such an admirable endeavor and it happens to be a great place to play, a great room for sound and intimacy. Multiple night gigs are the ones where you can really settle in and play. I always prefer those and wish there were more opportunities to play multi-night runs like there used to be." Metheny began his tour in Europe and his first show in the U.S. will be this weekend. The tour is scheduled to end Nov. 14 in New York City with 25 shows before then. Metheny noted that Europe overall has become more receptive to jazz than the U.S. "It is much better abroad these days than in the states," said Metheny. "There is a more sophisticated audience and a more knowledgable culture in general. It seems since the 80s or so there has been less jazz awareness than ever in the states as jazz has become less of a folk music and more a semi-classical music that you see on PBS or hear on NPR on occasion as opposed to being a minor but important part of the fabric of the day to day real life culture of everyday people. "A couple of generations of young jazz musicians now have turned their backs on kids their own age in order to play to older audiences. That has done a lot of damage," he added. But still Metheny continues to play and has high hopes for his own music. "We are a little more than halfway done of what will be the next Pat Metheny Group record. The lineup is the same as on the last record, "Speaking of Now", said Metheny. "It is really going to be a special one. It will be one of the most interesting and exciting records we have ever done. Don't forget to sign the Pittsburgh-Jazz.com Guest List and receive the newsletter to stay tuned to the announcements about what’s going on when and where! Leave any comments and/or suggestions you might have in the Guest Book and spread the word by Telling a Friend! Also view:
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