Imaginary Day

Guitarist Pat Metheny's career is linked to many aspects of jazz's future. Perhaps the most recognizable guitarist on the scene, he's worked lately in free-improv contexts (1997's Sign of the Four), in gentle duets (1997's Short Stories, with Charlie Haden), and has continued to expand the sound and reach of his multiple-Grammy-winning Pat Metheny Group. Imaginary Day finds Metheny exploring world-music influences and orchestral colors and opening up new avenues for contemporary jazz. And he introduces a range of new and recent additions to his collection of axes - among them, the 42-string Pikasso guitar, the baritone guitar, and the acoustic sitar-guitar.