Pat Metheny, Guitar/composer, 1954, Summit, MO
While a teenager, Pat played informally with Gary Burton's quartet. Burton hired him on a permanent basis in 1974. While still very young, Pat taught at the University of Miami and the Berklee College of Music in the early '70s, and from the mid '70s toured widely with his own group. His excellent record sales during the late '70s and early '80s gave Pat a large and wide audience. His own groups included musicians such as Jaco Pastorius, Dewey Redman, Jack DeJohnette, and Nana Vasconcelos. In 1983 he organized a trio with Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins that was very successful. Metheny, a highly proficient guitarist, has also written scores for films. Pat makes use of electronic sound-delay devices for "slap-back echo", and from the1980s has frequently employed the Synclavier guitar synthesizer. His approach is more lyrical than that of his contemporaries, John McLaughlin and Larry Coryell. Metheny cites Jim Hall and Wes Montgomery as having influenced his playing.
Doc West, Drums, 1915, Wolford, ND
Before becoming a drummer, Doc studied piano and cello. During the early '30s he worked with Tiny Parham, Erskine Tate, and Roy Eldridge in and around the Chicago area. Then, in the early '40s, Doc worked with Hot Lips Page and played extensively at Minton's Playhouse in jam sessions. During this period he also subbed for drummers in the bands of Count Basie and Chick Webb. Because he was an excellent sight-reader he was always in demand for recording with small and large groups, playing in both the swing and bop styles. He is probably best remembered for his wonderful playing in a session led by Tiny Grimes, a session that included Charlie Parker, and on several excellent recordings with Erroll Garner's trio in 1945. Doc West died in 1951.
