Pat Metheny Group

No one better understands the infinite wealth of creativity that jazz allows than Pat Metheny. His new album, The Way Up, is composed of a single 68-minute composition divided into four parts. It's pretty much the record he's been preparing to make his entire career. The guitarist has been at it since 1975; at only 21 he introduced a new methodology of harmony with the release of Bright Size Life. His latest project is no less innovative. On The Way Up Metheny's simmering fretwork is matched with the piano of longtime cohort Lyle Mays, plus the harmonica of virtuoso Gregoire Maret. The music is difficult to classify, other than to call it jazz -- but the audience should expect all preconceived notions of what that word means to dissipate before their eyes.