Pat Metheny

“When talking about writing, I often use the analogy of archaeology. There are these great tunes all around. Your skill as a musician allows you to pick them out without breaking them.”

“People sometimes say it takes a long time to become a jazz fan, but for me it took about five seconds.”

“Whatever my recorded output is, it's a reflection of a general love of music.”

“I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music world and have been able to play exactly what I have wanted the way I have wanted.”