I realized that equipment really had little to do with why I sound like the way I sound.

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The angular compositions asymmetrical lines relentless rhythmic drive and deep blues feeling of Ornette Coleman's New York Is Now! (Blue Note) inspired Metheny to find his own direction. The second group album American Garage (1980) was a breakout hit reaching No. On The Way Up harmonica player Grégoire Maret from Switzerland was introduced as a new group member while Richard Bona contributed only as a guest musician.

Patrick Bruce "Pat" Metheny (/məˈθiːni/ mə-THEE-nee; born August 12 1954 Lee's Summit Missouri) is an American jazz guitarist and composer. His style incorporates elements of progressive and contemporary jazz post-bop latin jazz and jazz fusion.