Official Website of Jazz Trumpeter

2008 METHENY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
On March 7, 2008, the Metheny Music Foundation of Lee's Summit (MO) held its first major fundraiser at the Unity Village Activities Center. The concert featured the Pat Metheny Trio, Mike Metheny, and musicians from the Lee's Summit R-7 school district. Proceeds from the sold out event were set aside for summer music camp scholarships to be awarded to qualifying Lee's Summit students in the fields of band, jazz, orchestra, vocal, "and any other area of music where the student shows passion and potential," said Foundation chairperson Kathy Smith.

On May 17, at Lee's Summit City Hall, Metheny Foundation scholarships for 2008 were presented to eleven students. "The March 7th event was so successful that we were able give cash awards to every Lee's Summit music student who applied," said Foundation board member Mike Metheny. "We also decided to let the recipients pick which camp they would like to attend." This year those choices included the University of Missouri/Kansas City (UMKC), the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan, and summer sessions at Boston's Berklee College of Music.

For additional information about the Metheny Foundation or to make a donation, please visit the website at www.methenymusicfoundation.org.

First Metheny Music Foundation Fundraiser features the Pat Metheny Trio, Mike Metheny, and Lee's Summit students

On Friday, March 7, 2008, the Pat Metheny Trio -- with Pat on guitar, Christian McBride on bass, and Antonio Sanchez on drums -- performed to a capacity crowd at the Unity Village Activities Center near Lee's Summit, MO. Lee's Summit is the hometown of brothers Pat and Mike Metheny, and Mike joined the trio for several selections at the concert.

Also featured was an all-star Lee's Summit high school jazz ensemble that entertained guests at the pre-concert reception, and an all-star marching band from the Lee's Summit school district that opened the show by playing a medley of Pat's music arranged by Mike.

It was the first major fundraiser for the new Metheny Music Foundation, and according to Foundation board chairperson, Kathy Smith, "The entire event was a big success."

After the show, Pat added, "Everything went really well. Christian, Antonio and I had a great time."

All proceeds after expenses will go toward the Foundation's scholarship fund which, for now, is intended to help students from Lee's Summit attend summer music camps of their choice.

"But who knows," said Mike. "Maybe someday we will be able to send someone to Julliard."

After conducting over 50 Q&A interviews for Kansas City's "Jazz Ambassador Magazine" from 1994 to 2003, Mike has been on the other side of several, including:

Mike Metheny interviewed by International Trumpet Guild INTERNATIONAL TRUMPET GUILD JOURNAL (CLICK HERE)
January 2006 (Vol. 30, #2) (ITG web site: www.trumpetguild.org)

JAZZ IMPROV MAGAZINE (Autumn 2004 issue; Vol. 5 #1) http://www.jazzimprov.com

JAZZ AMBASSADOR MAGAZINE (Feb/March 2004) http://www.jazzkc.org/issues/2004-02/q&a_mikemetheny.html

Mike also continues to wear his writer's hat as the author of a profile of the Kansas City jazz scene in the May 2005 issue of Kansas City Magazine (in which he was the subject of his own profile, July 2006); the liner notes for "Super-singer," (click link for PDF file), Marilyn Maye's musical tribute to Johnny Carson; plus other freelance writing projects.

WHAT THEY'VE SAID ABOUT "KC POTPOURRI"

"Intriguing, impressive, and easy on the ears, KC Potpourri is one of the better big band albums to come along in quite a while." — Jazziz Magazine.

"...as you experience the passion and feeling during 'Always and Forever' (written by brother Pat), you will get the gene connection. Incredible interpretation, amazing solo. One of my favorites. ...And don't miss Metheny's take on Jobim's 'How Insensitive,' which, in my opinion, defines Mike's musical voice." — www.radioio.com.

"This is a CD you just can't stop listening to. Mike Metheny's flugelhorn is so pure and human a sound that it is mesmerizing." — International Trumpet Guild Journal.

"Overall, this is Mike Metheny's most rewarding recording to date and well worth acquiring."— L.A. Jazz Scene.

WHAT THEY'VE SAID ABOUT "CLOSE ENOUGH FOR LOVE"

"I haven't a clue as to how (Mike) coaxes such warm, shapely, full-toned, and sensitive sounds out of a bent brass tube. Even when he plays with a mute, or on his trusty Electronic Valve Instrument, you're never in doubt that the man behind the horn is a real person, with real feelings." — Terry Teachout (from the liner notes to "Close Enough for Love").

"One of the most interesting aspects of the album is the range of sound and expression Metheny is able to extract from the synthesizer sounds of the EVI..."— Los Angeles Times

"Whether Mike is gracefully blowing the muted cornet, flugelhorn or tearing it up on EVI (which he does often), his signature warm pitch and emotive musical demeanor is profoundly present throughout this entire recording.."— JazzOnline

"On this CD, Mike Metheny has produced a modern song cycle: eclectic, cohesive, and very enjoyable." — All Music Guide

WHAT THEY'VE SAID ABOUT "BACK TO BASICS"

"(Back to Basics) is a beautiful collection of mostly classical masterpieces adapted for Mike and two other players. I highly recommend it. — Patchman Music,
http://www.patchmanmusic.com

"(Back to Basics) presents a genuine lesson in music history for the student, and provides an enjoyable reflection on classical music for the veteran listener. ...(It) opens doors for those who want to learn about the relationship between classical music and modern jazz. ...What a treat for aspiring students of any age!" — L.A. Jazz Scene

"'Homage,' the only representative of Metheny's compositional acuity, is a well-crafted brass ensemble piece that ends with the highlight of the album, a powerful and harmonically rich fanfare." — Jazz Improv Magazine