The opening concert of Autumn Jazz 2024 was dedicated to the 70th birthday of jazz legend Pat Metheny. To celebrate his remarkable talent and iconic compositions, our local artists prepared a special tribute for the KUMU audience—the “Metheny Project.” This performance featured guitarist Jaak Sooäär, pianist Kristjan Randalu, bassist Janno Trump, and drummer Ramuel Tafenau, who brought Metheny’s masterpieces to life.
Pat Metheny is a highly respected figure in the music industry. He led the Pat Metheny Group for over 30 years, during which he collaborated with the legendary Lyle Mays. Over the course of his career, Metheny has earned 20 Grammy Awards and received 39 nominations, mainly for his work with the Pat Metheny Group. In addition to these accolades, Metheny has also received numerous other prestigious music awards and honors.
Despite the remarkable achievement of being the only artist to win Grammy Awards in ten different categories, Metheny remains humble. He once said: “If you come to my house, you won’t see a wall of trophies or things like that. I’m sort of ‘on to the next thing’ all the time.” This forward-thinking mindset is evident throughout his career, where he has consistently pursued new compositions, experiments, and collaborations without ever slowing down. Beyond his work with the Pat Metheny Group, Metheny has had legendary collaborations with iconic musicians such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, David Bowie, and many others. His collaboration with Bowie included working on the soundtrack for The Falcon and the Snowman (1985). Metheny’s talents also extended beyond film, as he composed music for commercials and collaborated with major brands.
For this anniversary concert, project leader Jaak Sooäär selected some of his favorite pieces from Pat Metheny’s repertoire, focusing primarily on Metheny’s early period. The setlist primarily featured compositions from his debut albums Bright Size Life (1975) and Watercolors (1977), along with pieces from other albums. Sooäär emphasized that the goal of this tribute was not to replicate the original versions, but rather to share exceptional music with the audience through a unique and collective experience.
The band kicked off the evening with ‘River Quay’, a piece from Pat Metheny’s second album, Watercolors. This beautiful composition served as the perfect “starter” for the musical “menu” of the evening—fresh and full of flavor! The entire setlist seemed to resonate deeply with the audience, blending perfectly with the atmosphere in the auditorium. Was it the charm of a beautiful and sunny beginning to autumn? Or perhaps it was the magic of Pat Metheny—his melodic compositions, which may sound simple yet carry profound depth and spirituality. Watercolors is a legendary album in its own right, marking the beginning of Metheny’s long-term collaboration with Lyle Mays. In addition to ‘River Quay’, Sooäär and the band also performed other pieces from the album, including ‘Lakes’ and the title track, ‘Watercolors’.
The Autumn Jazz audience at KUMU had the privilege of hearing several pieces from Pat Metheny’s debut album, Bright Size Life (1975), including ‘Unity Village’ and the title track, ‘Bright Size Life’. It’s fascinating how one of the most “culturally and historically significant” albums in America gained its recognition only years after its release. Sometimes, great music needs time to age, like fine wine, before it can be fully appreciated and understood by others. Sooäär, Randalu, Trump, and Tafenau presented their own interpretation of these pieces, ensuring that each band member had their moment to shine with a solo.
One piece that stood out from the rest of the concert, and a personal favorite, was a composition by the Lyle Mays, inspired by his dreams. This piece had the magical ability to transport the audience from the KUMU auditorium to the charming streets and circuses of France. The music shifted effortlessly from playful and lighthearted to romantic and spiritual, creating a captivating experience. As the musicians finished, I couldn’t help but whisper, “Oh my God, how beautiful.” What a performance by these talented musicians!
Though the focus was primarily on Metheny’s early albums, Sooäär didn’t forget to include other pieces from his broader repertoire. This included ‘Phase Dance’ from the Pat Metheny Group’s debut album (1978), a signature song for the group. We also enjoyed an interpretation of ‘Every Day (I Thank You)’ from the 80/81 album (1980) and ‘Song for Bilbao’ (1983), which drew inspiration from the city Metheny visited during his early appearances abroad.
The synergy between the musicians on stage was absolutely perfect. Their interaction was remarkable, with everyone paying close attention to the details, truly listening to one another, and allowing more time for solos. This gave each musician the chance to showcase their strengths, individuality, and improvisational skills. It’s a privilege to attend a concert where musicians take pieces written decades ago and make them sound both contemporary and timeless.
Bravo to Jaak Sooäär, Kristjan Randalu, Janno Trump, and Ramuel Tafenau, and thank you for a magical evening filled with music created by the legendary Pat Metheny and his band.
„Pat Metheny 70”
7th of September 2024, 6 pm at KUMU auditorium
The band:
Jaak Sooäär – guitar
Kristjan Randalu – piano
Janno Trump – bass
Ramuel Tafenau – drums