LaRue Nickelson Plays Pat Metheny

LaRue Nickelson Plays Pat Metheny Since his debut recordings in the late 1970s, Pat Metheny has helped define jazz guitar for generations of listeners. His angular phrasing, fluid technique, and distinctive harmonic language have shaped the sound of contemporary jazz and inspired countless musicians. For the Tampa Jazz Club’s 2026–27 season finale, Tampa Bay guitarist LaRue Nickelson pays tribute to Metheny with a performance rooted in lyricism, warmth, and modern jazz imagination. About the Artist Guitarist LaRue Nickelson has thrilled Tampa Bay jazz audiences for decades with his soulful, expressive playing. A Georgia native who has lived in Tampa Bay since childhood, Nickelson graduated from Gibbs High School and now serves as professor of jazz guitar at the University of South Florida. At USF, Nickelson has worked closely with Chuck Owen, the five-time Grammy-nominated composer and director of jazz composition. Owen once sent Metheny a draft recording featuring Nickelson on guitar. Metheny declined to perform on the project, but praised the guitarist, reportedly asking, “I don’t know who the guitarist is, but he sounds great. Why do you need me?” Nickelson has performed with major jazz artists including Chick Corea, Dave Stryker, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, and many others. For this performance, he is joined by Doug Matthews on bass and Ian Goodman on drums. Performance Overview Nickelson’s harmonic approach and gift for shaping melodic phrases make him a natural fit for this tribute to Pat Metheny. Expect an afternoon of contemporary jazz that honors Metheny’s influence while showcasing Nickelson’s own voice as a guitarist.