For the first time since his 1980 release 80/81, Pat Metheny has recorded with a band that features tenor saxophone. Unity Band introduces a new Metheny ensemble of the same name with Chris Potter on sax and bass clarinet, longtime collaborator Antonio Sanchez on drums, and the up-and-coming Ben Williams on bass. Upon its release in June, All About Jazz described Unity Band as "unequivocally one of Metheny's finest—an album that's sure to find its way to 'best of' lists for 2012." Now, All About Jazz has dedicated this week to the project, offering Catching Up With feature articles on all four band members, starting Monday with Metheny, Potter on Tuesday, Sanchez on Wednesday, and Williams on Thursday.

"A generation after 80/81, 32 years to be exact, Metheny finally revisits a tenor saxophone-driven group with Unity Band," writes All About Jazz contributor Lawrence Peryer in the introduction to his interview with Metheny. "Benefiting from his ongoing willingness to showcase the best young players, Unity Band is anything but traditional. There are more than enough sonic twists and turns to satisfy longtime Metheny-watchers, but plenty of entry points for newcomers, too."

Read more and see what Metheny has to say about the project in the extensive interview at allaboutjazz.com. And check back with the site all week to hear from his fellow Unity Band mates.

Pat Metheny is currently leading his week-long Summer Music Workshop at The Spa at Norwich Inn in Norwich, Connecticut, with a faculty that includes Metheny, Antonio Sanchez, and bassist Larry Grenadier. The Unity Band resumes its US tour at the German House Theater in Rochester, New York, next Saturday, September 1. The Denver Post, previewing an upcoming show, says the new group is "Metheny at his mellifluous best." For complete tour details, go to nonesuch.com/on-tour.