Your Favorite Jazz Guitarists...

[Xavier]

I think Attilla Zoller is much underrated. His own CDs that I've heard are good, and anything he does with Lee Konitz and/or Don Friedman is excellent.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Xavier

I think Attilla Zoller is much underrated. His own CDs that I've heard are good, and anything he does with Lee Konitz and/or Don Friedman is excellent.

My buddy, the guitarist Mitch Seidman, thinks the same Xavier.

[de Selby]

Ten in no order other than alphabetical:

Kenny Burrell
Charlie Christian
Bill Frisell
Freddie Green
Grant Green
Jim Hall
Barney Kessel
Wes Montgomery
Jimmy Raney
John Scofield

[MRS]

[V8Volante]

Pat Metheny
Allan Holdsworth
Wes
Ben Monder
Bill Frisell
Sonny Sharrock
Lenny Breau

[Dave King]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I mentioned him above. Don't forget his work with Paul Motian (when he was still Brad Shoeppach--I guess he didn't like being called "shoe pack" or whatever).

I recorded a nice Indian/world music CD, in Cologne Germany, with Brad in 2001 with the Group MADRAS SPECIAL. Rabia Abou Khalil, Zoltan Lantos and Charlie Mariano were also om that date.

[Stefan Gonzalez]

Sonny Sharrock
Bern Nix
James Blood Ulmer

[rocketjk]

Pat Martino
Wes Montgomery
Joe Pass
John Scofield
John Abercrombie
Calvin Keys
Mimi Fox
Eddie Duran
Bruce Forman

[Peterdubya]

Wes
Lenny Breau
Pat Metheny
Pat Martino
Django
Scofield
Frisell
Kurt Rosenwinkel
John McLaughlin
Chet Atkins

[Xavier]

Bucky Pizzarelli - his solo recordings on Arbors are especially good. In his traditional style he's first rate, a wonderful musician.

[Jazzbo48]

Charlie Christian, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Pat Martino, Peter Bernstein

[fjacoby]

'....Metheny's virtuosity and discography aside, I must say that as a jazz listener I would have to agree with the few commentators who have found David Gilmore's sound to be one of the freshest and stylistically versatile...I would suggest that those who may be interested in checking David out should listen to some of his work with Trilok Gurtu (Believe or The Trilok Gurtu Collection)....

Also Jon Herington's guitar work with Jim Beard (Song of the Sun, Lost at the Carnival, Truly) and Michael Brecker (Now You See It) might be considered. Of course Steely Dan revelers might appreciate Jon's more current work with the boys, not to mention that we would certainly have to consider slotting into our top 5 (further recognising the ephemeral past) Mr. Larry Carlton and the 'great chops' that he's supplied listeners throughout the 70's....perhaps culminating in his work with Donald Fagen in 1982 on The Nightfly....'

[steve(thelil)]

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hearing 3 of my favorite jazz guitarists play live on the same day. Dave Stryker, Romero Lumbabo and Charlie Hunter

In the afternoon, I attended a wonderful jazz festival in East Orange (or maybe West Orange....I just remember it didn't rhyme with anything) where I heard Dave Stryker with his organ trio AND Romero Lumbabo with a mid-size Brazilian band. Both were dazzling.

At about 5 PM my sister called and asked what time we were meeting at Dizzy's that night.........she hadn't seen my email telling her that the show was sold out and we had to reschedule. She was up for some live music, so I told her I'd check out what was around. We ended up seeing Charlie Hunter's trio at the Jazz Standard.

For the set we attended, Charlie wasn't using the effects he's always used (at least the several times I'd seen him) that produce an organ-like sound. The band consisted of Charlie and a keyboardist and drummer. The set was basically funky blues/rock jams. Very retro (some of it sounded like Cream!) IMHO, it wasn't as compelling as his sets usual are, but one of the great things about Charlie's bands is how he is always trying out new combinations of instruments and (to some extent) musical genres.

[turnoutthestars]

John Abercrombie
Sonny Sharrock
Wes Montgomery
Grant Green
Pat Martino

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by steve(thelil)

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hearing 3 of my favorite jazz guitarists play live on the same day. Dave Stryker, Romero Lumbabo and Charlie Hunter

Hey, steve. great stuff. Three of my favorites, too.

[keys4life]

John Mclaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Shawn Lane, Pat Martino

they can not only play jazz but everything beyond

[Lenny D.Guitarist]

Originally Posted by Mike P

Kenny Burrell
Grant Green
Wes Montgomery
Peter Bernstein
Bruce Forman
Pat Martino
Howard Roberts
Barney Kessel
Bill Jennings
Billy Butler
Joe Pass
George Freeman
Eric Gale
George Benson
Melvin Sparks
Eric Johnson

Mikey P,
There isn't one sour note to be found in any of your choices. Excellent! May I add Herb Ellis? May I add Tommy Emmanuel, Emily Remler,
Django, Pat Metheny, Tal Farlow, and Jim Hall?

[Ron Thorne]

I'd like to add a superb, if largely unknown jazz guitarist to the list . . . Wayne Johnson. He's also a friend, and a hell of a nice guy.

[guitarpatch]

My favorite is probably Scofield, the man can play the guitar as it were a horn.

[JamesH]

I like guitarists like Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell who play jazz and the blues.

I have a tough time with guys like Scofield and Metheny, great guitarist who don't sound like jazz guitarists to my ears.

[Xavier]

Gene Bertoncini has released a couple of superb solo CDs with the Ambient Records. They are entitled: "Quiet Now" and "Body And Soul." I think they are his best work and fortunately the recordings are fantastic. Could be the best recorded guitar sound I've ever heard. Always thought Bertoncini was very good but these two CDs take him to another level.

[Fugglesworth]

Here's an extensive, but not exhaustive, list. To make it more interesting, I've added a few comments.
I think the ones marked * have not been mentioned in this post.
The ones marked # are not necessarily jazz.
The artists I rate most highly are marked with !

Adam Rogers (To be heard on Michael Brecker's Wide Angles album, though there is a lot going on so its hard to pick him out. I wish Michael well, by the way)
Ackerman, Will*# (Windham Hill artist)
Al Di Meola!! (Not so keen on early material, but everything since World Sinfonia is excellent. Also great on Jazzpana 1 and Chic Corea's Touchstone, and with Paco de Lucia and John McClaughlin)
Allan Holdsworth
Andy Summers* (Police fame. Eclectic player who plays some jazz as well)
Anthony Wilson*
Antonio Forcione*! (Comedian and great acoustic guitarist)
Attila Zoller! (I agree with the comment about him being underrated. A sad loss. One of Metheny's tutors.)
B.B.King
Barney Kessell
Bill Frisell!!
Bireli Lagrene!* (How insensitive not to mention him!)
Brad Schoeppach* (Plays with the great Rosenwinkel on a few Paul Motion albums)
Brad Shepik (Playing tonight in the 55 Bar, I see. Too bad - I'm in London)
Carlos Santana!
Castro-Neves, Oscar*
Charlie Byrd
Charlie Christian
Chuck Loeb* (He's got some chops. Not all smooth, necessarily.)
Ciyo Brown* (Best version of Little Sunflower there ever was on his "Somewhere Out There" album)
Dave Stryker
David Gilmore!!
Django Reinhardt
Earl Klugh*
Emily Remler
Eric Gale*
Erquiaga, Steve*# (Windham Hill artist)
Frank Gambale (Famous for 'The sweep' - a guitar technique).
Gene Bertoncini
George Benson!!
Gerardo Nunez# (Great flamenco guitar on Jazzpana 2)
Grant Green!
J.Yamagishi* (Another guitarist with Watanabe on excellent Dogatana)
Jack Wilkins*
Jeff Beck*!
Jim Hall! (An amazing track is "Careful" on "Jim Hall and Friends Live at Town Hall" with Sco, Bernstein, Goodrick, Abercrombie - all guitarists mentioned in this list _ Gary Burton. Also Jom Hall is a big influence on Metheny)
Jim Mullen* (Scottish guitarist, used to play with the late Dick Morrisey. Uses his thumb exclusively)
Joe Beck*
José Neto* (Impressive with Airto's Fourth World. Plays a unique guitar which also acts like a bass guitar)
Joe Pass
John Abercrombie! (Plays on one of my favourite albums, Landmarks by Joe Lovano)
John Etheridge* (Though he sometimes plays tucked away in small pubs almost unnoticed, he is very good. Played a lot with Stephane Grappelli. Also of Soft Machine fame. His album "Ash" is worth checking out)
John McLaughlin! (Love those guitar trio albums with Paco and DiMeola/Coryell. Great on hot summer nights)
John Parricelli* (Listen to his track 'Scrim'. British guitarist)
John Scofield!!
Jon Herington
Kazumi Watanabe
Kenny Burrell
Kurt Rosenwinkel!! (Wow! Saw him in Smalls 10 years ago.)
Larry Carlton
Larry Coryell! (The Kenny G of guitar, but he's cool on the Steely Dan albums)
Lee Ritenour (Also very Kenny G'ish. Avoid his concerts - too poppy and posy, but he's got technique and can write some good tunes).
Leni Stern!*
Lionel Loueke
Luiz Bonfá
Mark Whitfield
Martin Taylor*!! (Often sounds like 2 guitarists in one. Amazing. I am proud to be British with musicians like this around!)
Mick Goodrick*
Mike Outram* (Always doing the rounds here in London)
Mike Stern!!
Niebla, Eduardo*
Nguyên Lê*! (Check out his version of Little Wing!)
Norman Brown (Too much sugary background vocals, but some of his tracks really stand out. Better Days Ahead - nothing to do with Metheny's tune - is an excellent tune even though it is of the smooth jazz kind. Very 'Bensonesque' style even when he sings)
Nuno Ferreira* (Great modal jazz on "long distance calls" on Fresh Sounds label. Portuguese player who plays with New York musicians.)
Osamu Ishida* (Plays on hard-to-find Dogatana with Watanabe)
Paco De Lucia!!*#
Paco Peña*#
Pat Martino!! (Think Tank album is superb. Amazing when he had to learn the guitar all over again).
Pat Metheny!!! (Can't wait for the Mehldau/Metheny date. Both are Iconic players. Note the three exclamation marks. Inventor of several guitars as well. That multi-stringed Picasso guitar and what he gets out of it is awesome)
Paul Bollenback!* (Great playing on Gary Thomas's Seventh Quadrant - a seminal album)
Peter Bernstein
Peter O'Mara* (To be discovered on obscure TOny Lakatos albums)
Phil Upchurch*
Philip Catherine
Ralph Towner
Raphael Rabello
Romero Lubambo!
Roni Ben-Hur
Russell Malone!
Stanley Jordan!!* (Unbelievable tapping style. Can play 2 guitars at once. Discovered on the pavement - sidewalk to you in the USA)
Steve Cardenas
Steve Khan*
Tomatito!*# (Check out his material with Michel Camillo. He brought the house-down with Camillo at the Barbican in London recently. I was there.)
Wayne Krantz* (Can only buy his music, which is great, on www.waynekrantz.com. Too heavy for some people, though his superb 'Signals' album is more accessible. Also plays on recent Steely Dan albums. When I get to New York again, I hope to find him in the 55 Bar).
Wes Montgomery!
Wolfgang Muthspiel! (A great CD is Mike Holober's Canyon featuring Muthspiel, plus his Bright Size CD is very good and pioneering).

[GoodSpeak]

Steve Khan, Mike Stern, John Scofield.

To wit:

Steve Khan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QffM8znYbM


Your favorites?

[gonzo]

mclaughlin
santana
scofield
metheny
jim hall
bill frisell
peter cosey
foley

[jesus marion joseph]

I know not everyone likes Al DiMeola, but I do. I also like Bill Frisell and Wes Montgomery (non-sugary version)

[SEJ]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I mentioned him above. Don't forget his work with Paul Motian (when he was still Brad Shoeppach--I guess he didn't like being called "shoe pack" or whatever).

At least he didn't change his name to Brad S. Are you listening, Harvie?

[Gary Sisco]

I love a number of the music's past guitar greats (a few of them still working) but Joe Morris would be my favorite of today's selection, followed by Marc Ribot.

[Lenny D.Guitarist]

Originally Posted by JamesH

I like guitarists like Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell who play jazz and the blues.

I have a tough time with guys like Scofield and Metheny, great guitarist who don't sound like jazz guitarists to my ears.

Jim,
Have you had your hearing checked recently?

[Wombatz]

Don't know why the threads were merged, but to address the case in point: I love electric Django. On acoustic, he's great for 2 or 3 tunes, then the flowerishness gets exhaustive for me, but when he switched to electric in 47: instant bliss. Just a pity that it's not always Rostaing on clarinet: he struggles, but the others just cant keep up. Yeah, Django was born for the electric, even his heavy-handed comping suddenly makes perfect sense, and, without the ornamentalism, every line is definite like chiselled in marble. Family favorite, we listen to the 47 to 49 recordings once a month (and he kept on being genius till 51, it's just with the 53 comeback recordings that he starts to lose personality).

[Wombatz]

Plus, while most Jazz guitarrists were sorta electric, Scofield took the rock experience and for the first time created a Jazz guitar sound that was as unmistakable and had as much breath as an Armstrong/Eldridge/Gillespie/Miles/Cherry/whathaveyou. From a guitar point of view, you cannot overestimate him, and he's firmly Jazz (even though he's kinda lost it the last couple of years. Still done enough for several lifetimes.)