Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Calling Pat Metheny a jazz artist is certainly accurate, but it also sells the guitar genius short since he’s won twenty Grammy Awards in a record-breaking ten categories, despite none being able to fully describe the wonder and wisdom of this pioneering player.

Thankfully, a little bit of experimental pop, progressive rock, new age and general instrumentals were simultaneously incorporated when the 68-year-old visionary brought the “Side-Eye” Tour to Ravinia in Highland Park, which almost seems like a second home to the Missouri native at this point.

The two-hour evening started on an individual note as this “Pikasso” equivalent of sorts stunned his way around the custom-made strings, soon inviting out pianist/organist/keyboardist Chris Fishman and drummer Joe Dyson.

Both of these prodigious younger cats were able to quickly lock in step with the headliner, dazzling on their respective instruments during “Bright Size Life” and many others popularized by the Pat Metheny Group, who started in the late 1970s, through this trio’s recent live recording.

In fact, their fearless leader was quite generous in sharing the spotlight for numerous solos that each appeared to direct the future groove, which meant rather than merely replicating the recordings, each track boldly took on the flavor of the given flow.

No matter if it was in electric or acoustic contexts, Metheny always mesmerized, though “It All Starts When We Disappear” and “Zenith Blue” definitely delivered on the former to initially close the informal masterclass.

The encore turned to unplugged and solo territory, featuring a mega-medley of best-sellers, including the David Bowie collaboration “This Is Not America” and “Last Train Home,” right on time to literally ride the rails home from Ravinia, which is always totally free for any ticket holder.

And just as it seemed the end was near, Metheny and company came back to ask “Are You Going With Me?,” which resulted in a resounding response in the affirmative as he heads further down the road of unpredictable ingenuity.

For additional information on Pat Metheny, visit PatMetheny.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Counting Crows and Dashboard Confessional (Jun. 23); Charlie Puth (Jun. 24); Jesse & Joy (Jun. 25); Santana (Jun. 30 and Jul. 1); Straight No Chaser (Jul. 2); Ne-Yo (Jul. 7); John Fogerty (Jul. 9); Chicago Symphony Orchestra: “The Trailblazing Music Of Joni Mitchell, Carole King And Carly Simon” (Jul. 29); Jason Mraz (Aug. 2); Boz Scaggs (Aug. 6); Rufus Wainwright & Chicago Symphony Orchestra: “Want Symphonic” (Aug. 11); Blues Traveler and Big Head Todd & The Monsters (Aug. 12); John Legend (Aug. 13-14); Jethro Tull (Aug. 18); Kenny Loggins (Aug. 19); Buddy Guy and George Benson (Aug. 23); Classic Albums Live: Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon” (Aug. 25); Boyz II Men and The Isley Brothers (Aug. 26); “Encanto” In Concert (Aug. 27); “Jurassic Park” In Concert (Aug. 29); Train (Aug. 30); Brandi Carlile (Aug. 31); Carrie Underwood (Sept. 1-2) and Shakti (Sept. 3). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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