I refuse to get into discussions over whether or not a particular musician is a strict adherent to one or another musical style. When musicians cross genre's people get all upset. Is Bill Bruford a jazz drummer or a rock drummer? Is Lyle Lovett a country musician? These are really stupid, pointless arguments.
One artist who defies categorization, although usually considered a jazz performer, is Pat Metheney. Because of the often lush orchestration that accompanies his recordings, provided by long-time collaborator Lyle Mayes, it is often difficult to hear the down-and-dirty roots of jazz in his music. The fact that he is an electric guitarist, and usually performs with an all-electric outfit also offends many jazz purists. In the end, I just love to listen to him, so who cares what we call him?
This is fairly representative stuff. Try to dislike this. I dare you.
For the doubters and haters, here he is with a quartet including Jack deJohnette and Herbie Hancock.
