Jazz Guitar Greats :
Who's Who of Jazz Guitar
This page links to several articles I wrote about my
favorite jazz
guitar greats. Each page contains must-know information about the players.
Learn from the masters and burn like one!
The
individual pages also depict each guitarist's playing style along with
some licks, videos and transcriptions. (All compiled by yours truly!)
Jazz guitar history is an amazing learning tool.
Enjoy!
Please contact me with any jazz
guitar
greats comments,
questions, licks, transcriptions, concerns (?) or suggestions.
[The guitarists are in chronological order]
Pat Metheny (1954-)One
of the most influential jazz guitarist or the last 30 years. Metheny's
approach to composing and playing the guitar is unique.
Strengths :
great sound, virtuosity, use of guitar-synth, jazz composition and
arrangements (for the "Pat Metheny Group" and other projects.)
John Scofield (1951-)
One
of the most distinctive voice in the jazz guitar field ever. Scofield's harsh jazz-rock sound is instantly recognizable.
Strengths : unique "harsh" sound, never-hear-before improvised lines, outstanding articulation, composition, groove/funk playing.
Pat Martino (1944-)An instigator of the "modern sound" in jazz guitar. Martino combines technical prowess and beautiful, post-bop jazz music.
Strengths : great time feel, lyricism, virtuosity, amazing "machine-gun" like lines (that never get boring!), melodic inventiveness.
George Benson (1943-)
Benson is the perfect blend between a heavy bop guitarist and a soul-jazz singer. He's been entertaining crowds for decades!
Strengths : soul singing, groove, lots of chops!, charisma, great simultaneous scat-singing while improvising on the guitar.
Grant Green (1935-1979)
Great underestimated jazz guitarist. Well known for his soul and jazz albums on Blue Note.
Strengths : Great feel, bluesiness, outstanding use of the bebop vocabulary, funkiness (later in his life).
Jim Hall (1930-)
Probably the most
influential of all the jazz guitar greats. His minimalistic approach resonates with
everyone... and had an impact on today's big names (Sco, Metheny,
Frisell et al.)
Strengths :
highly individual voice and style, less-is-more approach and the use of
space, impressive in all settings (duo to big band), ultra modern yet
traditional notes and rhythms choices.
Joe Pass (1929-1994)
One of the greatest jazz guitar greats! Widely recognized as THE solo jazz guitarist of his time.
Strengths : solo
recitals (!), harmonic concept (chords and counterpoint), walking bass
lines, chord melody arrangements, bebop improvisation.
Wes Montgomery (1923-1968)
One of my personal
favorites of all time! Wes is respected and admired by guitarists of
many styles throughout the world.
Strengths :
Melodic inventiveness, soulfulness, deep groove, the use of octaves,
personal sound (plucking strictly with the right-hand thumb).
Wes Montgomery :
Bio, Licks and Transcriptions
Charlie Christian (1916-1942)
The father of
jazz lines on the guitar : he played genuine bebop (imitating the
horns). Also the first established jazz guitarist to use amplification.
Strengths :
"Horn-like" chromatic lines, flowing melodic improvisations, bluesy,
rhythmic repetition and motif development.
Charlie Christian :
Bio, Licks and Transcriptions
Django Reinhardt (1910-1953)
The
greatest gypsy-jazz
guitarist of all time. He is the most renowned European jazz legend in
history! His band was the first established jazz ensemble using only
string instruments.
Strengths : Impeccable
melodic lines on acoustic guitar, virtuosity (with only two fingers!),
lyricism, "poum tchak" style of comping.
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