Lyle Mays

The Profile

American jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer best known as a core member and co-composer of the Pat Metheny Group. Beyond PMG, he released acclaimed solo albums spanning acoustic trio to orchestral-synth work. Born 1953, died 2020.

Longtime PMG collaborator as co-composer, arranger and keyboardist; noted for sophisticated harmonies, orchestrations and synth design. Released solo albums including Lyle Mays (1986), Street Dreams (1988), Fictionary (1993) and Solo: Improvisations for Expanded Piano (2000). Born in Wausaukee, Wisconsin; died in 2020.

Two reviews frame Lyle Mays as the PMG’s co-composer/arranger and an elegant, synth-savvy pianist. Fictionary (1993) is praised as a refined piano-trio set with Marc Johnson and Jack DeJohnette, including Steve Swallow’s Falling Grace and a Grammy-nominated piece, Bill Evans. Street Dreams (1988) is cast as eclectic, orchestral, playful and “television”-tinged, featuring Bill Frisell, Steve Rodby and Peter Erskine, well-made yet “without peaks.” Overall: versatile, technically brilliant, sometimes more atmospheric than hard-hitting.