As audiences witness, Pat Metheny works his guitar much like an artist at a potter’s wheel — with fingers agile and mind focused on the intricacy of every moment. It is one thing to label Metheny a jazz virtuoso, but the term doesn’t do quite enough justice to the talent associated with it. Rather, Metheny has been lauded as one of the most talented jazz guitarists of his time. His tools of the trade include dozens of rarely used guitars such as the 12-string electric, the guitar synthesizer, and the 42-string Pikasso guitar. His versatility, whether acoustic or plugged in, is unrivaled.

On a tour celebrating American composers, he will be joined on the Strathmore stage Tuesday by his close friend and double bass player, Larry Grenadier.