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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
inna
7,296 posts
 
And also, from McLaughlin's album "The Promise" the piece called "Django" that he plays with Jeff Beck. It is blues, and a great one. Beck's guitar sings, and McLaughlin's provides space and depth. Unusual collaboration.
John McLaughlin has the gift, like Miles Davis, anyone who plays with him performs his best.
rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
I like several (Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, John Jorgenson), but IMO Grant and Wes are by far my top two favorites. Their styles are so different, both wonderful, unless they have some sort of head-to-head contest to prove which is "best" at playing, I don't see how I could determine which is "better".
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Now that we have thoroughly covered the best, I would like to cover some of the rest. While these guitarists may, or may not fit the jazz category; they are marvelous musicians.

Jose Feliciano came to my attention with "Light My Fire". I know his sound certainly lit mine. Next is "Ry Cooder", he's all over the place, from East Indian to hill billy; put him in "unclassifiable". I've enjoyed all of his extremes.

Feel free to include your favorite guitarist, regardless of classification.
daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,894 posts
 
Jimi Hendrix comes to mind when I think 'who's the best guitarist', OTOH, there are many great players.......a few others that come to mind...SRV, EC, Robin Trower ( VERY underrated IMHO), BBKing, Santana, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Jimmie Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Robben Ford, Earl Klugh, George Benson, Al Di Meola, Chet Atkins, Les Paul and I could go on and on..:0)
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I Saw Albert King live, he was a big impressive man whose guitar had an unforgettable "blues twang". When you heard Stevie Ray Vaughn, you heard that same twang; this identified him as an Albert King protege. Albert was my all time favorite blues guitarist.

Santana's guitar could hold a note forever. I wore out 3 copies of "Abraxas". His music symbolized "The Age of Aquarius", that was the most magical time ever.
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