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Who was the best jazz guitarist ever?


Since all music is "subjective", I lay no claim to any objective truth to anything I write on this subject.

Johnny Smith was the first to make me aware of the guitar as a jazz instrument. Before him I considered it to be a country and western or blues instrument. "Moonlight in Vermont" is his most famous album, it contains some of the most beautiful versions of standards I've ever heard.

Kenny Burrell who was often featured with Jimmy Smith on organ was the next jazz guitarist I became aware of. While his work with Jimmy Smith was tops, "Midnight Blue" on Blue Note, is my favorite album.

Wes Montgomery came to my attention twice, that's because according to some; he was better and more inclusively "jazz", before he became famous. The "Wes Montgomery Trio" recorded in 1959 is one example of a recording made before he became famous. His "Round Midnight" had a deep soulful intensity that's hard to match; but jazz guitarist's also have bills to pay.

Grant Green is the best jazz guitarist ever, his prodigious output makes that statement. There are some who claim, that out of all of the versions of "Round Midnight", his is the best.

There are many guitarist's I like who may or may not fit the description of "jazz guitarist". I'll leave the strict definition of that to others. Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, and Paco De Lucia are guitarists I like a lot whatever category they fit in.

Since I prefer the broad definition of "jazz" as opposed to the strict definition, if you think your favorite guitarist fits the description; so do I. Who are your favorite guitarists?
orpheus10
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
Who are your favorite guitarists?

John Scofield is my favorite. I've seen him in concert. Wonderful; Miles hired him to tour as one of his band members; that speaks volumes.

For jazz/ fusion/ comtemporary, I really like Pat Metheny; I've seen him several times in concert. He is a great composer, producer, arranger as well.

I like Wes and Grant, but I need to explore their music more.
duanegoosen
355 posts
 
Not sure real sure the "all music is subjective" statement works, (both musical notation and sound physically exist). It may be more reasonable to assert that opinions, (which often can be chock full of prejudices and misconceptions) are subjective.
The assumption that there is a best jazz guitarist at any given moment requires some big blinders. To claim there is a best jazz guitarist ever is pretty rich. Critical thinking / epistemology issues aside... this site has a couple of pretty extensive favorite guitarist threads... lately i've been trying to get pretty much any recording w/ Marc Ducret on it.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
The top of my list includes, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery(early) Barney Kessell and Mark Whitfield. They`re all wonderful and I play them quite often.
taylor514
72 posts
 
Lenny Breau
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I'm tempted to say it starts and ends with Django, but Duane is - per usual - on point. What do you value most in a player?

For historical influence, you probably go with Charlie Christian, since he is generally credited with inventing the whole notion of "lead" guitar, when it was a rythm instrument.

Or maybe Les Paul, who....well what didn't he invent (or re-invent)!

But it gets more subjective when improvizational skills or pure technique (or quirky, highly personal - see Wes M - technique) or some other quality takes priority.

It gets harder when you add the crossover artists (and I'd include Grant Green in that category) that range from Eldon Shamblin (Texas Playboys) to Bill Frissell to Les Paul to, if you want to stretch it, Frank Zappa.

So you pick your priority and you pick your man. I'll take Django.

Marty
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