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Looking for great jazz guitar recordings - any recommendations?

Hello All,

Here's the list I've put together so far, but I'm looking for more and better recordings...   I want good music AND great recordings of such...   I also use these as partial test tunes (streamed from Tidal in MQA) for evaluating sound quality.

Russ Freeman & the Rippingtons, the Album Topaz, Stories of the Painted Desert
Ron Cooley with Manheim Steamroller, the album Day Dreams
Michael Hedges, the album Aerial Boundaries (wow!)
Antoine Dufour,  the single Talk
Gordon Giltrap,  the album Fear of the Dark
Fourplay, the album Fourplay
Jenn Adams, the album Water, Blue Island (great recording)
Joe Bonamassa, the album Live from the Royal Albert Hall
John Williams, the album Guitar Transcriptions (I know this isn't jazz, but its so good)
Nils Lofgren, the album Acoustic Live, Keith Don't Go
Roger Shah and Sunlounger, A Balearic Dinner

What else should I add to my collection?   What moves you?



noodlyarm
tablejockey
3,958 posts
 
The suggestions for "Jazz guitarists" are all over the place. Some of them aren't "Jazz" players.

Traditional Jazz recordings IMO are pre 70's. Your collection wanders in that "smooth jazz" territory which is argued to death, if it's even Jazz.

I'm surprised Barney Kessel hasn't been mentioned. Look up his Contemporary recordings. He is  one of the pre Wrecking Crew artists who did movie/commercials that many of us grew up hearing.

He is in the "must have" group-Charlie Christian,Freddie Green,Wes Montgomery,Jim Hall,Herb Ellis,Hank Garland,Kenny Burrell,George Benson...

There are just too many. Just start before 1980.
harrylavo's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
harrylavo
346 posts
 
Charlie Byrd for sure.  Here are four to savor.  Charlie on guitar and Keter Betts on bass on all.  Drummers include: Buddy Deppenschmidt, Bertel Knox, Eddie Phyfe, and Bill Reichenbach.

Charlie Bird Trio - Offbeat Records
Jazz at the Showboat, with others - Offbeat Records
Charlie's Choice - Offbeat Records
Byrd at the Gate, w/Clark Terry and Sheldon Powell - Mobile Fidelity


jamesclarke
366 posts
 
This this is a great thread.  Thanks for starting it.  And thanks to many for the most excellent suggestions/nominations I agree with many -  I’m with @david_pully : this is like asking for favorite albums.   I’m new to this community and simply love this kind of confirmation and inspiration.

Here are some additional ideas:

Metheny - “80/81”
McLaughlin w the “Trio of Doom”
Don Ross (anything)






dpetri's avatar
dpetri
36 posts
 
Ralph Towner
Albert King
Ry Cooder
Julian Bream
Paco de Lucia
John Mcglaughlin
Frank Zappa “Shut up and play your Guitar”
Metheny
Albert Collins
Jimi Hendrix
Pat Martino
Joe Pass
Wes Montgomery. “Smokin at the Half Note”
Early George Benson on CTI


rodzilla47
16 posts
 
Here’s a few that haven’t been mentioned:
  • Alex Machacek
  • Alex Skolnick
  • Frank Gambale
  • Phil Miller
  • Terje Rypdal
  • Volker Kriegel
More to discover