Favorite jazz guitarist

Then again, those guys weren't playing with two fingers. It's not always about technical ability. Debating over which guitarist is better is pointless anyhow, it's all a matter of taste.

 

Grant Green, especially the soul jazz stuff: Carryin' On, Green is Beautiful, Alive!, Live at the Lighthouse, Live at Club Mozambique.

 

Have to say Lenny Brough... crazy.

 

Carlos Santana in his mid '70s fusion period
John Mclaughlin
Lenny Breau

 

to the guy who was questioning whether we know what classic jazz is...Im sorry, George Benson is a great player and I love a lot of his stuff, but RARELY is he a "jazz" player. His career is mostly soul and pop oriented. I gotta give it to my man wes, but PAT METHENY is my favorite player (and yes, he does have quite a repetoire of non jazz material as well, but shiiiet...) hands down. His time, phrasing, tone, compositions, creativity...GIMME A BREAK!!

 

ASIM CAN GÜNDÜZ..big and wonderful.....

 

Django Baker

 

Oh God, Django Reinhardt

 

For me, it is Martin Taylor. I saw im over Easter, and he was incredible; by far the most virtuosic guitarist ever. Then come Django Reinhardt, Joe Pass, Bireli Lagrene, and if you're including jazz fusion, Jeff Beck, Shawn Lane, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin.

 

Django's unique sound just makes me feel good but i also love that Phat jazzy tone from George Benson. Im no jazz purist but i seem to perceive george benson as jazz guitarist, is he not?

 

John L. "Wes" Montgomery first of all, hands down. Pretty much every guitarist after his time that ever considered themselves a "Jazz player" owes Wes. Whenever I listen to Wes... Man, that is jazz guitar baby. Sure he's not the most "technical" but he was playing with his thumb for crying out loud. He didn't need "technicality" anyway, when almost all of his notes were perfect and swung. Then again, listen to his version of "Impressions" and tell me he doesn't burn.

I would say my next personal favorite is Pat Metheny. Sure not all of his stuff is "Jazz". But man, he sure can play jazz when he does it. Plus, he is a very good player and extremely creative not only in song writing but soloing as well. Great ideas and phrasing. I'm definitely really influenced by Pat in my playing.

John McLaughlin too... Man, if there was ever a player that had both amazing technical ability and very creative and artistic playing, it was John McLaughlin.

 

My fav is nowhere near the best player, but you did ask for fav and not who we think is the best, so I will say Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons. I just love his music, and he and Craig Chaquico did a great album together as well.

 

Scofield or McLaughlin

 

Django Reinhardt

 

Wow, i can't beleive no one mentioned George Benson.. cmon people! hah

 

Wes Montgomery. His emotion and style are great. I've even picked up his thumb technique. Inspired me to play jazz really. Check out his live performance of yesterdays, I could listen to it on repeat for days. Also did a sweet collab with organist Jimmy Smith, another of my faves.
Also, I second the George Benson comments.

 

him and Joe Pass

 

does larry correal count

 

I would definitely have to go with Frank Zappa. I do consider his work to be jazz.

 

Although he wrote quite a bit of jazz, I'm not sure if I'd feel right categorizing him as a "jazz guitarist". Either way, still a great player and a musical genius. Also wanna add Tal Farlow.