Jimmy Raney
(1927-1995)

Jimmy Raney is another contemporary of Christian, Farlow and Ellis; he helped put forward that typical bebop jazz guitar sound in the world. Originally from Louisville, Raney began his career in Chicago and later had a short stint in Woody Herman's orchestra in 1948 (at a very young age!)

He finally went to New York to be hired by Artie Shaw in 1949. That band really put him under the spotlight: he was often used by Shaw to be the featured soloist.

From 1951 Raney worked with the great Stan Getz, recording perhaps the best music of his career. This international visibility later allowed him to have more associations with many different jazz legends. He played mostly in small ensembles with a horn instead of leading his own trio or quartet.

Note-worthy :

• He "replaced" Tal Farlow in Red Norvo Trio in 1953.

• Had a 10-year break (approx. 1965-1975). Went back to Louisville ... some personal problems and less work opportunities in New York.

• Later had two more "career phases" : 
• 1975-85 with Xanadu Records 
• 1980-199x with Criss Cross Records

Jimmy Raney was a real jazz guitar master: he used bebop phrasing in his clearly articulated lines and ideas. I highly recommend you check out Jimmy Raney was a real jazz guitar master: he used bebop phrasing in his clearly articulated lines and ideas. I highly recommend you check out this book or transcriptions of his (it comes with the recording + play-alongs!)

To me, he's one of the only early bop guitarist that had a very "clean" type of single-line sound (not amp-wise but melodically speaking, while soloing). Each note Jimmy played seems to have enough room around it to "breath" fully.