SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Artown brings World-renowned jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny to Reno, Nev., Friday, April 23, with his “Orchestrion Tour” at the Grand Sierra Resort. Metheny’s appearance wraps Artown’s inaugural Encore season designed to bring people to Artown during the festival’s traditional off-season.
Metheny has won an astounding 19 Grammy Awards and has been nominated 33 times in 12 different categories, more than any other performer in Grammy history. Aside from all of the critics awards and fan accolades, Pat’s focus remains continually on the breaking down of barriers and the exploration of new musical ideas. This tour is no exception as Pat moves from brilliant solo guitar improvisations to the unveiling of a totally new technology for the presentation of an acoustically driven “solo ensemble” music he is dubbing Orchestronics. The performance will feature music from the forthcoming CD of all new original compositions, as well as some older tunes from the Metheny songbook.
With the versatility to play almost any instrument, Metheny has performed with a diverse array of artists from Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock to David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar, small ensembles, electric and acoustic instruments, large orchestras, and ballet pieces, with settings ranging from modern jazz to rock to classical. He has been part of a writing team with keyboardist Lyle Mays for more than 20 years, an association that has been compared to the Lennon/McCartney and Ellington/Strayhorn partnerships by critics and fans.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Pat Metheny close Artown’s inaugural 2010 Encore Series,” Artown Executive Director Beth Macmillan said. “The Encore Series kept the essence of Artown alive from October until now, and Pat Metheny’s closing event will leave the community eager for the new season of Artown to begin in July.”
Over the years, Metheny has won countless polls as “Best Jazz Guitarist” and awards, including three gold records for “(Still Life) Talking,” “Letter from Home” and “Secret Story.” He has also won 19 Grammy Awards spread out over a variety of different categories including Best Rock Instrumental, Best Contemporary Jazz Recording, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo and Best Instrumental Composition. The Pat Metheny Group won an unprecedented seven consecutive Grammies for seven consecutive albums.
Pat Metheny performs April 23 at 8 p.m. at the Grand Sierra Resort’s Grand Theatre with tickets priced at $35 and $45. Friends of Artown receive 10 percent off ticket prices. Tickets are available in person at the Grand Sierra Resort box office with no service fees, by phone at 800-648-3568 or online. For more information visit Artown or call the office at 775-322-1538.
Consisting of more than 400 events each July, Artown was noted by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of the most comprehensive art festivals in the country. With more than 100 partners, the month-long festival takes place at venues citywide. Artown receives major funding from the City of Reno, is sponsored by International Game Technology, KOLO 8 News Now, KTHX-FM, NV Energy, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno-Tahoe and U.S. Bank with additional support from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Artown is supported by Stimulus Funding through the Nevada Arts Council’s SNAP Grant Program.
