In Love with the Music

I went to my first Pat Metheny concert last night in Harrisburg, PA, and I have to tell you, I’m totally hooked. To be honest, the hook had already been inserted when a good friend introduced his music to me several months ago. I’d started listening to Pat’s unique style of guitar-playing and interpretation of jazz and when the opportunity presented itself to attend one of his concerts, I jumped at the chance.

For those of you who don’t know who Pat Metheny is, a visit to his website is definitely in order. (www.patmetheny.com) Pat’s been around forever, it seems, and his influence on modern jazz has been demonstrated over and over again.

The concert last night was phenomenal. Joining him was bass player and Philadelphia native, Christian McBride and drummer Antonio Sanchez from Mexico City. All three men are gifted musicians in their own right, but together…well, I just have to say it left me speechless and that’s not an easy thing to do.

One of the things that impressed me most about watching Pat play was the way he totally got into the music. From the way he seemed to personally interact with each guitar he played (and there were at least four, including a custom-made Pikasso that combined the sounds of guitar, harp and mandolin) to the expressions on his face, it was a treat to watch him because he is clearly in love with the music.

The thing I love about jazz is that it’s unsettling and comfortable at the same time. It’s sweet and seductive and penetrates your very soul. And it’s, well…sexy!

If you’re new to jazz or Pat Metheny and want some suggestions for exploring this amazing genre of American music, I’d suggest one of his first collections, “Bright Size Life.” You won’t be disappointed.