He may have been the most quiet musical monster of all time. I see these music award shows and I think to myself, if you think you're something, listen to Lyle Mays for a little while.
You make a great point Richard....I can't think of anyone that was as heavy and as underrated as Lyle; maybe Allan Holdsworth, except that guitar heads and others understand the paradigm-changing contribution Allan made to the guitar, while others (myself included) also rank his (Allan’s) compositions and overall voice to have had the same impact. Many missed just how gifted and beautiful Lyle was...He lives on through the music and perhaps musicians will rediscover him in the not-so-distant future. I know Lyle spoke of this composition in the hands of Keith Jarret and him being mesmerized by it...I had the pleasure of meeting Lyle and hanging out with him and a friend (Gregoire Maret) who was part of the PMG at the time; we hung out all night at a diner...The hang started at around 12:30am (when we got him from the pool hall he'd been at since 11am that morning) and we left him at around 5am. I was able to share all that I expressed here [and then some] directly to him and he was very humbled by it all, he didn't take any of it for granted. I will never forget that night as it was one of the most meaningful nights of my entire life. Lyle has been an influence on me since the very first time I heard him at 14 or 15. I'm glad we are here (on this comments section), like-minded individuals who truly understand the depth and genius of this most beautiful musician and human being. Thank you for your words Richard.
Federico G. Peña so nice to see someone take note of Allan’s genius too. Before there was Eddie Van Halen there was Allan! Still trying to process Lyle’s death over a week later. Thank you for sharing your story.
Jennifer Shanahan Hey Jennifer...Thank you for reaching out. I too am trying to process Lyle’s passing as he adds his name to my “l should have” list. About a week or so before his passing l thought about Lyle and said to myself, “l should reach out to Lyle and make it a point to get together with him [the] next time l’m in LA - or make a special trip just to see him and a few other friends...”, and now that possibility has vanished. I’m happy to know the few others (or the many) that appreciated Lyle’s undeniable gifts and the chance for us to connect (like this), albeit fleetingly). Be well
I had heard his name before, but I only very recently started to listen to this GOD of a player. Utterly blown away. Some people born here on Earth are actually not of this planet.
Lyle passed away today….An incredible musician...playing with Pat...unforgettable experience...his incredible sensitivity with notes and timing...LYLE!!
Lyle was a giant. Truly, there was no one ever like him - not Bill Evans, not Chick Corea, no one. His synthesis of complex harmonies, amazing touch and comprehensive mastery of his instrument were unparalleled. And a very sweet guy!
He had everything: speed, reach (looong fingers!), force when needed, incredible sense of rhythm (he was the best proof piano is a part of rhythmic section), profound understanding and feel of harmony, plus melodic imagination he exploited in his improvisations... PMG was always PMLMG to me and that's how all my casettes and then mp3s were marked ... Huge loss, huge ....
Everything this man plays, every passage of music rendered by him, is an EXPERIENCE like no other. He goes beyond talent to being a virtuoso, a MASTER of his craft. I have never heard the piano sound more beautiful than when it's being played by Lyle Mays. May his soul rest in peace because his craft has certainly provided peace to millions of souls who continue to listen to and cherish this man's music! Mr Mays you WILL be missed by us all!
Off the F'n hook! This demonstrates that he was one of the most underrated straight ahead jazz piano players. Clearly someone who appreciated Bill Evans but Lyle was a pioneer in his own right. As much as I love and will miss what he brought to the PMG, I will so miss his own music. Damn, what a loss....devastating!
yeah man, it devastate my life too. There's nothing that could be understandable in life, especially the passing of Lyle, maybe before, I have thought that he could be immortal, that He could live forever to give us his pearl. Addio Lyle, mi mancherai molto, mi mancherà il fatto di saperti vivo, mio grandissimo contemporaneo
If we value what he brought to music, his death will motivate us to carry on the work of making music better than we found it. What an example he gave us all about what music can be. RIP.
Lyle would help us work on standards by writing the scales we could use to improvise over different changes and really turned me on to the ii V I thing. We would go to the Union bar for a "few" and then go back and play till they would kick us out of the practice rooms. He was miles ahead of all of us but always nice and helpful. I miss him.
Lyle is a self proclaimed non-jazz pianist. I agree. He's just one of the most complete musicians I can think of, just music and expression of musical creativity and talent through piano playing (which includes jazz, but is everything else as well, from Pop to jazz, classical music to country, electric fusion to rock and blues.) I hear everything in his playing. Just wonderful.
Yeah there's nothing more boring than jazz by musicians who only listens to jazz, just (pianists) reiterating the same standard staples of 4:ths in the left hand and shreds away constant 16:th note-patterns with the right hand.
Lyle died a few days ago and there was no one I could tell, huh, no one who would get it. His musical language forever changed me, particularly with Pat Metheny. So unique and beautiful, cheeky and non rushed.. Rest in Peace brother...
I just found out and find myself on the edge of tears whenever I hear 'Close to Home'. He could somehow cast amazing unique chords and harmonies in the air and create a new world you could escape to. And then to hear Pat and him play together, two virtuosos who were on the same page.. there isn't anything like it. We have lost an amazing composer and musical mind. I can't imagine what Pat is going through having lost such a brother in art he spent over 30 years with.
Lyle Mays has left us with a uniquely beautiful interpretation of this old standard. The way he abstracts the subject is awesome. Unfortunately, it has always been undervalued throughout his life. Its melodies and harmonies remind me not only of Bill Evens but also of Frederik Chopin. I hope that - thanks to RU-vid - he will survive for a long time.
Amen! I just discovered him a few years ago through a friend: growing up trained as a classical pianist: degrees, teaching, etc. BUT a lifelong jazz fan grew up with my Dad who came into music composition/theory/history through jazz, so started collecting albums my self in my teens and listened to everything in his large collection of LPs--so, I was so so sad when he passed, but so glad I found him through my friend.
Godlike... your music moved and changed me during the 80s, 90s. i'm sorry i didn't get to meet you in person, while you were in LA. though, i've felt as if i've always known you through listening to your recordings both with and without PMG. I'm an architect and musician too, and i know we would have been good friends with lots to talk about. RIP Lyle and thank you for sharing your music with the world. you will be greatly missed.
Lyle Mays, I, and so many in the world at this time, are devastated. You were and are the best pianist in my heart, am honored to have seen you play. Magical. Since the 80s, you were the star, the beacon of PMG and of today. We need you now, in these troubled times, more than ever before. Your beautiful, thoughtful, intricate, always-takes-you-beyond music will be here for us. Will miss you forever. Go well, peace and love.
In one of his last interviews (several years ago now) when he was no longer performing, he made the claim he wasn't a jazz pianist. Lyle, I beg to differ. You were one of the best. True, you were more than just a jazz player but your jazz playing takes no back seat.
Lyle Mays was a great jazz pianist long before he played fusion. His piano sound and improvised statements in his version of Stella are inspirational. His harmonic substitutions add wonderful emotional color, and his rich expression really develops the compositional depth of this tune. Bravo Lyle ! You are indeed a great pianist, be it jazz, fusion, pop or classical. We should all be so lucky to be able to play as well as you.
Lyle was incredible on this tune. Why doesnt he just play music like this. Some of the best jazz piano Ive ever heard. So creative, innovative, and inspiring. My goodness.
Me atrevo a decir que es la mejor versión de este clásico jamás interpretada. Ejecutada con extrema sensibilidad, originalidad, virtuosismo y genialidad. De locos!
I saw Lyle prior to a performance once several years ago, squatting with his knees, smoking a cigarette next to the Fox Theater in Oakland. He did not look well, and I remember that he looked like the personification of self destruction. I can not help but to think of how unlikely someone like this could be the type of musical genius that he was, creating such complex beautiful melodies that continue to touch so many people's souls, long after his passing.....
A jazz pianist who was ultimately listen-able.Lyle May's played lovely moods, incredible feelings, jazz improv that ranks him among the best of that genre.
Bless the ingeniousity and sensibility of Lyle Mays. He’ll remain an endless inspiration to me. This version of Stella by Starlight is a masterwork in which I sense Bill Evans’s touch in the most touching and profound way. A giant musician has gone but his music lives forever. Thank you and farewell Lyle Mays.
Rest in Love, Lyle. I saw him so many times with Pat in The Netherlands and Germany. So many memories. Such a great player. I will miss him. Thanks for the music ....
One of the greatest performances I have ever heard. Harmonically creative and amazing, plus the groove. Cliche free. I thought I knew this tune until I heard this.
RIP Lyle. You brought so much joy and wonder to my life with your playing and compositions. You and Pat are the reason I became a musician. There is so much sadness in my heart today from your passing. Thank you for what you have left behind and God bless you.
When I heard of his passing I was affected with a deep funk, almost depression, for about a month or so . We were the same age, and he struck so deep a chord for me for so many decades with his own music and with the PMG. I wonder if the the world will ever come to realize what a giant he was, and it pains me no end to think it won't.
I am glad to say that I could enjoy this performance Live at Opera theater in Buenos Aires... the day after, I started piano lessons... still playing, Lyle is my greatest influence and motivation on the piano
Thank you so much for sharing this. I didn't know who he was. Had me in tears. The fact that I and many, did not hear his mastery. That in this life only a few rise up, only few that are part of world of mastery. Thank you.
Back again! Can't get enough of Lyle's beautiful music. This time I'm lucky enough to be with a wonderful lady to share this treasure with. Thank you Lyle Mays!
I saw a presentation he gave with a professor in Fullerton College about Harmony, and his conceptions and I was immediately intrigued about how he tried approaching chords in a more interval type manner. I've been trying to figure out what exactly he means. Wish he could've talked about it more. Problem is his music is still quite complex to an amatuer like me. So I'm glad I've found this song so I can pick it apart.
From the time I heard Pat Metheny’s Full Circle, Lyle was the rock of this crew. He glued this lineup and the new one with Antonio Sanchez. You’ll be missed Brother! Shout out to Russ Davis of 94Q Jazz Flavours for exposing Atlanta to such an Artist.
This was so incredible listening too. I still cant believe it. There is something so precious about this arrangement, style, and free form of the song. I was listening to Herbie Hancock's 12 minute version of Dolphin Dance, and it is similiar to Lyle's style here. Almost orchestral, yet open and free. This is awesome music.
Lyle is one of the best musicians/artists on the planet! I know he gets a lot of credit with Metheny but he needs to stand out in his own right. Where in the world is he now? He should be doing his thing in a big way to let people know about his amazing talents and turn people on to his playing and his amazing music!
Several years ago, somewhere, I can't remember where, I read a comment on Lyle Mays musicianship that summarizes what I think about it: elegant. I haven't heard any other jazz pianist more elegant than Mays. What a pleasure to listen to his music.
