Before you go

I would argue that Lyle Mays was the heart and soul of The Pat Metheny Group. His brilliant composing and playing is what gave them that beautiful hybrid style which sometimes bordered on world music or new age but still maintained a solid foothold in jazz and its virtuoso freestyle playing. 

But Mays wasn't just a master of his instrument because he often held back the chops to allow his compositions to breathe and bathe in those marvelous chord choices of his. I consider him to be one of the major influences in my own playing. 

He passed away in 2020 at only age 66 from a recurring illness.

Here is one his compositions indistinguishable from his soul-elevating work with PMG...