Pat 💫

 

Pat Metheny began playing guitar at just 12 years old in Missouri, influenced by his trumpeter brother Mike. By 15, he was a prodigy: he was regularly playing with Kansas City's top jazz musicians, so much so that he won a scholarship to Down Beat at just 14.

His rise was meteoric:

At 18: He became the youngest teacher in the history of the University of Miami.

At 19: Gary Burton recruited him to his famous quartet.

At 21: He revolutionized jazz with his first album as a leader, Bright Size Life (recorded ECM 1976), accompanied by a very young Jaco Pastorius.

His unique sound, born from his innovative use of delay and a passion for academic jazz combined with folk influences, made him an instant legend.