10 Top Jazz Guitarists

Some of the most influential and innovative Guitarists have emerged from the world of Jazz often with breathtakingly fast technique and intricate phrasing Jazz maestros can match anything that rock and roll can produce indeed the Jazz genre has been popular for almost 100 years and from trad Jazz to new world fusion pioneers they are a diverse breed producing a wide spectrum of sound.

So what makes a great Jazz Guitarist? Flamboyance technique and a dash of magic our top 10 list features Guitarists who have their own unique styles and sound often mimicked but never matched. Want to get into Jazz Guitar? Well check out these ten great players.

1. Joe Pass

With a career that spanned 50 years, including time spent with Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie and Herb Ellis Pass became renowned for his solo style that utilized complex finger picking technique coupled with a deft left hand phrasing. With an Epiphone signature Guitar released in his honor Pa ss is a true great

2. Pat Metheny

Part of the modern Jazz set Metheny is a real innovator on Guitar mixing a broad palette of musical influences from rock to folk, orchestral and traditional Jazz. Hard to pin down with a specific technique but with influences from Joe Pass to Wes Montgomery hes has a career that spans 30 years and remains highly regarded.

3. Les Paul

One of histories most important Guitarists. Central in the development of the modern Guitar and recording techniques. It was however as a Jazz Guitarist that he became famous with a fast fluid style reminiscent of the great Django Reinheardt but with a distinctive country twang hes blazed a trail throughout his career the fact that Les Paul still played to audiences in his 90s is testament to how important this man is.

4. Wes Montgomery

Montgomery played with a distinctive style discarding the use of a pick he played with mostly with his thumb resting his fingers on th e Guitars body. With intricate phrasing including use of Octaves Montgomery sound is easily distinguishable despite a career that was cut short at the tender age of 43 Montgomery still had time to record a string of hit Jazz albums and influence a wealth or artists.

5. Charlie Christian

Hugely influencial in the Jazz genre and one of first mainstream Electric Guitarists but with a frustratingly brief career (dying at the age of 25) renowned for his playing with the Benny Goodman orchestra in the 30s and 40s

6. John Mclaughlin

Incredible Jazz Fusion artist part of the Mahavishnu Orchestra fusion group in the 70s. With a blinding fast technique and influenced by world music sound McLaughlin is a unique voice in the world of Jazz.

7. Herb Ellis

Reaching the Jazz audience with his stint with the Oscar Peterson trio in the 50s Ellis has continued to record and play with a range of artists with a fast - fluid but still melodic style Ellis has a distinctive voice in the world of Jazz Guitar and inspiring tecfhnique.

8. Charlie Byrd

Grammy award winning and with a career that spanned 40 years classically trained Byrd was heavily influenced by the South American bossa nova sound made his name playing with Stan Getz during the 1960s -

9. Kenny Burrell

With a style that marries a soulful technique with a love of Bebop, Burrell has played with a bucket load of greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and Benny Goodman with a treasure of over 40 albums and career spanning over 50 years Burrell is a true Jazz master

10. Django Reinhardt

No list of Jazz Guitarists would be complete without mentioning Django with a Gypsy upbringing and musical influence he had a fascinating technique which involved picki ng close to the bridge and one string solos influenced by few but influencing many he remains perhaps the most important Jazz Guitarist of all time.

The author runs the blog Jazzbox-Cafe which offers a lively and fun look at the world of Jazz Guitar - offering tips on equipment and technique and a place for those that love the genre to discuss the latest news and events.

Author:: Adrian Martin
Keywords:: Jazz, Guitar, Guitarist ,Bebop
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