Mike Metheny
Encyclopedia
Mike Metheny is an American jazz
flugelhorn
ist and music journalist. He is perhaps best known as the brother of jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny
. Metheny studied music education
at the University of Missouri
and Northeast Missouri State University, then played trumpet in the Army
Field Band (1971-74). Following his stint in the army, he became an adjunct lecturer and "assistant to the head of the trumpet department" at the Berklee College of Music
(1976-83).
Metheny has released several full-length albums, the first of which was issued in 1982. He produced two records with major labels, the first in 1986, and the second in 1987, to mixed reviews. Since 2000, Metheny's albums have been produced by his own record company, 3 Valve Music.
For the past two decades, Metheny has largely pursued a music journalism career. Commenting on Mike Metheny's move from Boston to Missouri, and his transition to music journalism, the Boston Globe wrote in 1991, "Mike Metheny seemed on the verge of national recognition. He had a sweet sound, a gift for melody and three records under his name, two of them on a major label. Then he stopped." Metheny himself jokes that his career as a journalist is "an occupation that pays less than being a jazz musician." As a music journalist, Metheny has written for several Midwest jazz magazines and contributed liner notes
for numerous CDs, including "Super-Singer: A Tribute to Johnny Carson" by Marilyn Maye
. From 1994 to 2003, he was the editor of the non-profit Jazz Ambassador Magazine, which covers jazz performances in the Kansas City area. He continues to perform, primarily in Kansas and Missouri, and with a particular emphasis on the EVI, or the electronic valve instrument, a trumpet synthesizer that Metheny has featured in his recordings, and which was given to him by his brother Pat as a present.
. As the Los Angeles Times has pointed out, "Most of fluegelhornist Mike Metheny's career has been spent in the large shadow cast by his younger brother, guitarist Pat." Pat Metheny's greater level of success has not been lost to his brother. As Mike Metheny pointed out in a 1987 interview, at the height of his own music career, "there's a dramatic distinction between where [Pat] is and where I am... Pat is definitely in a class by himself." Notwithstanding, the Boston Globe writes that there is "not even an iota of intra-familial rivalry" between the pair.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
flugelhorn
Flugelhorn
The flugelhorn is a brass instrument resembling a trumpet but with a wider, conical bore. Some consider it to be a member of the saxhorn family developed by Adolphe Sax ; however, other historians assert that it derives from the valve bugle designed by Michael Saurle , Munich 1832 , thus...
ist and music journalist. He is perhaps best known as the brother of jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny
Pat Metheny
Patrick Bruce "Pat" Metheny is an American jazz guitarist and composer.One of the most successful and critically acclaimed jazz musicians to come to prominence in the 1970s and '80s, he is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works and other side projects...
. Metheny studied music education
Music education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It touches on all domains of learning, including the psychomotor domain , the cognitive domain , and, in particular and significant ways,the affective domain, including music appreciation and sensitivity...
at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
and Northeast Missouri State University, then played trumpet in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Field Band (1971-74). Following his stint in the army, he became an adjunct lecturer and "assistant to the head of the trumpet department" at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
(1976-83).
Metheny has released several full-length albums, the first of which was issued in 1982. He produced two records with major labels, the first in 1986, and the second in 1987, to mixed reviews. Since 2000, Metheny's albums have been produced by his own record company, 3 Valve Music.
For the past two decades, Metheny has largely pursued a music journalism career. Commenting on Mike Metheny's move from Boston to Missouri, and his transition to music journalism, the Boston Globe wrote in 1991, "Mike Metheny seemed on the verge of national recognition. He had a sweet sound, a gift for melody and three records under his name, two of them on a major label. Then he stopped." Metheny himself jokes that his career as a journalist is "an occupation that pays less than being a jazz musician." As a music journalist, Metheny has written for several Midwest jazz magazines and contributed liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
for numerous CDs, including "Super-Singer: A Tribute to Johnny Carson" by Marilyn Maye
Marilyn Maye
Marilyn Maye is an American cabaret singer and musical theatre actress. She began her career as a young child performing in Kansas in both live concerts and on the radio. After graduating from high school, she moved to Chicago where she drew the attention of Steve Allen, performing first on The...
. From 1994 to 2003, he was the editor of the non-profit Jazz Ambassador Magazine, which covers jazz performances in the Kansas City area. He continues to perform, primarily in Kansas and Missouri, and with a particular emphasis on the EVI, or the electronic valve instrument, a trumpet synthesizer that Metheny has featured in his recordings, and which was given to him by his brother Pat as a present.
Relationship with Pat Metheny
Mike Metheny is arguably best known as the older brother of guitarist and composer Pat MethenyPat Metheny
Patrick Bruce "Pat" Metheny is an American jazz guitarist and composer.One of the most successful and critically acclaimed jazz musicians to come to prominence in the 1970s and '80s, he is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works and other side projects...
. As the Los Angeles Times has pointed out, "Most of fluegelhornist Mike Metheny's career has been spent in the large shadow cast by his younger brother, guitarist Pat." Pat Metheny's greater level of success has not been lost to his brother. As Mike Metheny pointed out in a 1987 interview, at the height of his own music career, "there's a dramatic distinction between where [Pat] is and where I am... Pat is definitely in a class by himself." Notwithstanding, the Boston Globe writes that there is "not even an iota of intra-familial rivalry" between the pair.
Discography
- Blue Jay Sessions (Headfirst Records, 1982)
- Day In-Night Out (Impulse!, 1986) U.S. Top Jazz Albums #18
- Kaleidoscope (MCA RecordsMCA RecordsMCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
, 1987) U.S. Top Jazz Albums #6 - From Then 'Til Now (Altenburgh Records, 1989)
- Street of Dreams (Altenburgh, 1995)
- Close Enough for Love (3 Valve Music, 2001)
- KC Potpourri (3 Valve, 2003)
- Back to Basics (3 Valve, 2004)
- 60.1 (3 Valve, 2010)
- Old Wine/New Bossa: Selected Tracks (3 Valve, 2011)