Lyle Mays was a singular musician – almost laughably so, as his piano playing and his compositions shared a nimble quality that so many of us hope to one day be able to claim. His contributions to the Pat Metheny Group made for some of the most memorable musical moments from the group’s three-decade lifespan. PMG has been central to my musical development since I was 13. Episode d'Azur is one of those Lyle Mays creations that immediately captivated me upon my first listen to the group’s 1995 record ‘We Live Here.’ As I grew more in the big band writing tradition, and after spending many years admiring composer/arranger Bob Curnow’s widely-performed big band interpretations of PMG tunes, I just knew this work would lend itself beautifully to the colors of a large jazz ensemble. So, in 2011 I transcribed the piece from the record and set out to create that arrangement…and you know what? I was right!

 

We unfortunately lost Lyle way too soon in February of 2020. He was 66. This arrangement is my tribute to an artist who shaped and guided my compositional understanding for almost 30 years, and whose music has underscored several of my most cherished memories. Lyle’s influence will continue to make waves in my life and in the lives of so many others. His absence is acutely felt.