"Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. It is much more poetic than that."

• Born Patrick Bruce Metheny on Aug. 12, 1954, in Lee's Summit, Missouri
   
• Guitarist Pat Metheny came into his own as a songwriter and bandleader in 1978 with the release of the album Pat Metheny Group, which featured Metheny on guitar, Lyle Mays on keyboards, Danny Gottlieb on drums, and Mark Egan on bass. The following year, the group's next album, American Garage, went to No. 1 on the jazz chart, crossed over to pop charts as well and established Metheny as a musical innovator. 
   
• Metheny won his first GRAMMY at the 25th GRAMMY Awards for Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal Or Instrumental for the album Offramp.
   
• Did you know? Starting in the 1980s, Metheny has also earned GRAMMYs in four consecutive decades.
   
• His first appearance on an album was on bassist Jaco Pastorius' 1974 debut album, Jaco.
   
• Metheny founded the Pat Metheny Foundation "to preserve, promote and perpetuate an informed appreciation of all styles of music." The foundation operates a scholarship program that helps young musicians attend music camps, summer studies, and colleges.