Friday, April 17, 2026, at 8:00
Pat Metheny Guitar
Chris Fishman Piano and Keyboards
Jermaine Paul Bass
Joe Dyson Drums
Leonard Patton Percussion and Vocals
The program will be announced from the stage.
There will be no intermission.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.
WDCB 90.9FM Jazz is a Media Partner for this event.
Pat Metheny, born August 12, 1954, in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, has stood at the forefront of modern music for more than five decades. Beginning on trumpet at the age of eight and switching to guitar at twelve, Metheny was performing with Kansas City’s top jazz musicians by fifteen—an early start that helped shape his unmistakable sound.
After joining vibraphonist Gary Burton’s group in 1974, Metheny quickly distinguished himself with his horn-like phrasing, lyrical touch, and rhythmic fluidity. His debut album, Bright Size Life (1975), redefined the possibilities of jazz guitar, introducing a new sonic openness and melodic clarity that inspired generations of players.
With more than 20 million albums sold and 20 Grammy awards in ten different categories—a record unmatched by any other artist—Metheny’s influence extends across genres and generations. His collaborations span from Steve Reich and Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock, Jim Hall, Milton Nascimento, and David Bowie. His compositions encompass everything from solo guitar works and orchestral pieces to the groundbreaking Orchestrion project.
A dedicated educator, Metheny became the youngest instructor in the history of both the University of Miami and Berklee College of Music, where he later received an honorary doctorate. He is a member of the DownBeat Hall of Fame, a NEA Jazz Master, and an inductee of both the Royal Swedish
Academy of Music and the Missouri Hall of Fame.
In 2026, Metheny embarks on a world tour with his new ensemble Side-Eye III+, supporting the release of their self-titled album—the first on his new label, Uniquity Music, which will encompass all of his recordings since 1984 and all future projects.
Chris Fishman is a multidisciplinary pianist, composer, producer, and sound designer from Los Angeles. He has collaborated and performed with Pat Metheny, Flying Lotus, Louis Cole, and Mac DeMarco, to name a few.
Fishman began playing the drums and piano at the age of four, and by seven was performing with local bands in southern California. Encouraged by his instructors at Inglewood’s Just Lovin’ Music Studios, he pursued drums and piano, soon discovering a love of jazz. His versatile musicianship earned him credits in various facets of performance and production. Fishman performs in Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye III trio, where he plays left-hand key bass as well as synthesizers, organ, Fender Rhodes, and piano. Alongside Thundercat, Fishman can be heard on the score to Netflix’s original anime series Yasuke (2021), with Flying Lotus as executive producer. With frequent collaborator Louis Cole, he performs in a multi-instrumentalist trio along with drummer Nate Wood.
Fishman is a graduate of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and Manhattan School of Music, where he received a full-tuition undergraduate scholarship in the jazz program directed by Stefon Harris.
Jermaine Paul is a bassist, educator, producer, and composer from Compton, California. He spent his early development learning violin, cello, and voice before finding the double bass in primary school under the tutelage of Harvey Estrada. He enrolled at California State University Northridge as a jazz studies major under the tutelage of David Robaire and Gary Pratt. Many opportunities began to arise for him as a young professional bassist, including playing, touring and recording with the likes of MC Hammer, Macy Gray, Barbara Morrison, Lido, ¿Téo?, Jaden Smith, Munyongo Jackson, Redveil, Julius Rodriguez, Diane Reeves, and Gerald Clayton. Jermaine Paul has performed on world-renowned stages, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium (Cremona, Italy), Nice Jazz Festival (France), and North Sea Jazz Festival (Rotterdam, Netherlands), among many others.
At the vanguard of New Orleans’ drum legacy is Joe Dyson. As a mainstay drummer for almost two decades, Dyson has worked with Donald Harrison, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Xian aTunde Adjuah, and Grammy Award winners Sullivan Fortner, Nicholas Payton, and Pat Metheny.
Dyson’s musical talents have afforded him the opportunity to travel across six continents extensively. He has appeared on thirty-five albums with most recent releases Pat Metheny Side Eye III+ (Primary Wave/Uniquity Music 2026) Jaleel Shaw’s Painter of the Invisible (Changu Records 2025), and Lauren Henderson’s Sombras (Brontosaurus Records 2024).
In addition to touring and recording, Dyson has made appearances on the HBO hit series Treme. He can also be heard on the movie soundtrack to Rachel Getting Married by the late, Oscar-winning director Jonathan Demme. He has taught combos, master classes and given lectures throughout the U.S. and Europe, with a new position as adjunct professor at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music.
Moreover, Joe Dyson leads his own band playing music from his debut album, Look Within (Independent 2021), and upcoming fall release, Continuum.
Leonard Patton is a versatile jazz vocalist and performer known for his warm tenor voice, expressive improvisation, and instrumental approach to singing. He holds a master’s degree in jazz studies from San Diego State University and is respected for his deep musical knowledge and collaborative artistry. Patton has released multiple acclaimed recordings, including Dream Walkin’ with pianist Peter Sprague, Love, Life, and Song, nominated for Best Jazz Album at the San Diego Music Awards,
and Expressions, a duo project with Grammy Award–nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer. In addition to his jazz career, he has performed extensively in musical theater with leading San Diego companies. He is also the owner and artistic force behind the Jazz Lounge, an intimate San Diego venue dedicated to live music and creative collaboration.
Leonard Patton is a dynamic, award-winning vocalist, whose sound defies easy classification, blending jazz, gospel, soul, pop, and theater into a deeply expressive musical voice. Raised in a gospel household, Leonard Patton was writing songs by the age of eleven, absorbing music early and broadly with an openness that continues to shape his artistry today. Find him on music streaming platforms.
You can order drinks and snacks before the performance or during intermission at various bars located throughout Symphony Center, including the Bass Bar in the Rotunda and most of the lobby spaces in Orchestra Hall.
SYMPHONY CENTER PRESENTS
Jeff Alexander Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association President
Cristina Rocca Vice President for Artistic Administration
The Richard and Mary L. Gray Chair
James M. Fahey Senior Director, Programming, Symphony Center Presents Lena Breitkreuz Artist Manager, Symphony Center Presents Michael Lavin Director of Production
Joseph Sherman Associate Director of Production, SCP and Rental Events