Former guitarist of Jazz-Rock canadian band UZEB (1976 - 1992), Michel Cusson continued a solo carreer with several projects, including the 2 CDs he recorded with his own band"Wild Unit", as well as some movies soundtracks.

A great guitarist and inspired composer who is also has been a pioneer in using and helping to develop the technology for the first Roland guitar synthesizers in the early 80's. He's currently endorsed by Godin Guitars and keep using widely the MIDI technology.

He is a complete player, he plays bebop phrasing, rock leads and funky rhythms, plus everything in between those poles. Moreover he has a great originality and musical personality, mixing rough and "abstracts" riffs played with much groove, composing some melodious harmonies, including also a lot of african influences and rythms.

On his web site, you can see his whole solo discography, pending projects, equipment as well as to hear extracts of several of his albums (link "juke box").

Pat Metheny began his professional carreer in Kansas State at 15 years old and became the youngest ever teacher of famous Berkelee Musicology University at 19.

On top of having played all jazz standards with other jazz celebrities (Gary Burton, Herbie Hancock, Jack de Johnette, Jim Hall, John Scolfield...), he developped a duo with keyboardist Lyle Mays for almost 20 years before leading his own project, including the most recent "Secret Story" who reveal his genius for composition and musical arrangements.

The originality of his style remains mostly in his typical soft / warm guitar sound associated with his art of mastering sliding continuous and half-tone and dissonant solos. He is still regularly touring worlwide.

Pat Metheny is also fond of MIDI technology and helped to develop many instruments, including his own guitar model with maker Ibanez (model PM100).

Hereunder is a link to some excellent transcription scores of Jazz master Pat Metheny to download in Winzip files (most in GIF or JPG fomat). When reaching the site, click on the bottom orange "transciption Tab". For advanced level...

John Scofield starts to play the guitar at age 11, inspired by both rock and blues players. A teacher introduced him to Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall and Pat Martino. He attended the Berklee College of Music in the USA, later moving into the public eye with a wide variety of band-leaders and musicians including Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Billy Cobham/George Duke, Gerry Mulligan, McCoy Tyner, Jim Hall, and Gary Burton. In 1982, he began a three-and-a-half-year tour with Miles Davis, involving a lot in both funky moods and improvisation.

Scofield’s compositions and inimitable guitar work are characterised by a rough, syncoped and "nude" sound as well as an excellent mastering of dissonant choruses. His work with Pat Metheny (see recommended CD on the right) makes it so interesting to listen to this combination of so different styles / sounds.