Not the "best"...just my favorites.
Favorite jazz guitarists....that's a tough one. What specific styles do I cover? Who gets left out? Just straight ahead play or does the F-word (fusion) enter into it?…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
'Top' Jazz Guitarists - Comments Page 2
Article comments
26 - Douglas Mays
www.scotthenderson.net/
Give the guy some credit.
peaceloveguidance
27 - Brady
Hey Douglas my man from Portland,
It's me, Felch, the guy who told you about Satyricon closing. Scott Henderson is one of my old fellow guitar playing buddy's faves; he's great. Where are you living now Douglas? I'm in Texas, maybe we can talk music and the NW sometime. Peace, Brady.
28 - Douglas Mays
Felch (aka: Brady)! Cool man. Actually I'm a Seattle guy, but during the 'day' Portland, Seatttle, Vancouver B.C. were all one scene.
I have been back in Seattle (a long story) for a while. But I am currently constructing an article for Blogcritics music section about the Northwest scene as we know it (late'70s-early 80s).
The reason I concentrate on all that is that it is the scene that got the music industry look towards our neck of the woods. As you know, the whole grunge explosion was really just a by-product (buy-product?) of the above mentioned era.
As I know you are wondering also, how did the industry neglect some of the outstanding bands, musicianship, songwriting from this era? Not to downplay anything, but An X-15/Napalm Beach gig would blow trees over on a Nirvana/Alice In Chains gig.
Anyway, give me a week or two to submit writings to Blogcritics. Got to research facts, organize available product to coincide with the article, etc.
Scott Henderson? I was just turned on to him a few years ago by a jazz follower. Wow, he is a breath of fresh air in the guitar would.
peaceloveguidance man!
29 - Douglas Mays
Oh shoot, I kinda got off the jazz subject matter with comment #28 above. But I will add that the scene talked about above also was the breeding grounds for Robert Cray and Kenny G.
The music industry just missed alot of good rocknroll type things.
plg
30 - Brady
Yo Doug,
you are certainly right about overlooked NW bands. I lived in Portland and Seattle so I got to see a lot of good "little bands" that kicked ass. The Young Fresh Fellows never got huge but they were the shit. Of course we already mentioned the Wipers and Dead Moon and their huge unkown influence on the world. Just some trivia: I played at a club called the Twilight Zone in Salem where I grew up. We actually played and met with The Miracle Workers and The Rats - What a thrill! My old high school bandmates ended up in The Dharma Bums and I still see them once in a while. Let's talk some more bro', peace Brady
31 - Douglas Mays
Brady, right on! Ok, this change of subject on music styles on this thread may seem off, but it still deals with creative original music. Jazz? Etc.!
When you say "little bands" it made me think of the one show only "fuck bands" that would pop up. Collaberations of members of bigger bands. Loads of zen art!
I remember a cool fuck band show I saw at the Off Ramp during the beginning of the grunge era going big. A band called Temple of the Dog. The band consisted of Chris Cornell, Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Matt Cameron, Mike McK, Eddie Vedder. It was more of a tribute band that came together after Mother Love Bone's Landrew Wood died. Glad I went to the show, a comfortable evening in front of just a couple hundred folks.
True about Young Fresh Fellows. I once put on a New Years Eve ('84 to '85) show using them as the "midnight" band. The show was at the famed Gorilla Gardens (I built and ran the place). Scott McC (now with R.E.M.) and band was playing "Someone I Care For" (Jonathan Richmond). I set my Sieko watch to perfect time. I was able to to signal Scott when to go into the countdown during the song. They didn't miss a beat. Scott followed my hand signals from stage side, his "happy new years!" was within 1/2 a second of real time! That was the most accurate new years countdown I have ever seen. And they just took that song and tore it up. It rocked. The whole night was killer. Lots of good bands. It outsold Romeo Void at the Paramount the same night. Well, tickets were cheaper, RV sure had a bigger gross.
Anyway, lots of stories! We are in touch man!
best,
peaceloveguidance
32 - Georgio
Granted my comments come 2 years after the fact... I found the site on a search for Barny Kessel.
Great write up BTW.
It's a tough question. There are the greats, the groundbreakers after which come the follow on’s or the “inspired” then the copyists or the “inspired.” The genre has matured and many guitarists have come under the magic of the early influences.
Granted my comments come 2 years after the fact... I found the site on a search for Barny Kessel.
Here’s my short list " and it’s far from inclusive, just what I have listened to over the years by happenstance as well as affordability (i.e. I’m on a budget).
Charlie Christian (of course. Groundbreaker, limited by the scarcity of recordings)
Barney Kessel (Tried and true, outspoken, masterful)
Tal " Icon
Herb Ellis " Mr. Rhythm
Grant Green " Underrated
Wes Montgomery (Everyone needs a few, and yes the early recording are great)
George Benson (Early, early George… before he opened his mouth. But, hey! A guy has got to make a living, and he’s done very well)
Jim Hall " A Master.
Pat Metheny " I have always listened to Pat, and under-appreciated him, until I got the Speaking of Now Live DVD…. Awesome. He probably writes down every note he plays. Which is inspiring in itself. If you think about it, he’s broken new ground between the older generation and the new generation artistry.
Bruce Forman " I don’t care what anyone sez, Bruce Forman is the MOST UNDERRATED JAZZ GUITARIST IN EXITENSE PERIOD! Whew, this guy is pivotal and a Phenom in the truest sense of the word. A West Coaster from the Bay Area, I probably have every thing he’s put out. OUTSTANDING. ‘nuff said. Check out his website. He’s really into passing the torch.
Rick Whitehead " Retired Air Force Band member, educated, bright, friendly. A guitarist of note, not just an “Airman of note,” he swings hard. A Washington Metropolitan area treasure.
Dave Pike, Euro, old school, buried in the LP bins of Kmart years ago… but a wonderful inspiration (to me at least)
Joe Bruhl " Long gone Bay Area (San Leandro) teacher and territory band genius. Opted to teach rather than shine. Multi-instrumentalist " but I loved his guitar playing.
I sure there’s more… but I could listen to this short list output for years and NEVER tire of it.
33 - Bert Jackson
Having played guitar now for about 25 years, I love "rediscovering" someone. As I grow and learn my ears hear more clearly. I have always loved Wes, but right now I am infatuated. Definitely without strings, but my absolute favorite stuff is the '65 (?) set he did with the Wyn Kelly Trio live. Willow Weep, Four on Six, Impressions. Yea, he had chops. But sweet!
McLaughlin has always been a favorite, though certainly not everything. And to be expected from someone who never stays in the same groove. Love anything he does acoustic, especially the first Shakti, the Royal Festival Hall gig and the studio albums with DiMeola and Delucia. And there is Extrapolation, one of my favorite albums of all time.
Barney Kessel-Poll Winners Three-amazing
Try to find John Basile. He did a Desmond tribute that is subtle, sweet without being saccharine, angular without being pointy. Love it.
I like Metheny, but oddly enjoy him best when he acts as a sideman for the likes of Joshua Redman, Gary Burton or Michael Brecker.
Larry Coryell has done work I really enjoy, although certainly far from everything. The late Emily Remler is worth a listen, especially the East to Wes recording. There is Howard Alden, Ron Affif, Jimmy Ponder.
I fall into the NoSco category. Amazing chops, but I find him too technical. Or, I just don't like what he plays. But what about John Abercrombie? He is someone I can usually enjoy, as long as there isn't to much guitar synth involved.
Bruno goes in and out of favor. Right now he's out. Too fast without the feeling.
And yea, old Benson. And BTW, he sang on his early records (Uptown), in between smokin' licks.
34 - Ironic Luddite
I recently acquired some stuff, all of it very sweet.
John Abercrombie - Class Trip
Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue
DiMeola McLaughlin Delucia - Friday Night In san Francisco
Dixie Dregs - What If
Bela Fleck / Edgar Meyer - Music For Two
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - s/t (first album)
Bill Frisell - The Intercontinentals, The Willies, Ghost Town
Grant Green - Matador
Jim Hall / Ron Carter - Alone Together
Barney Kessel - The Poll Winners
Pat Martino - Live At Yoshi's (smokin'!)
John McLaughlin - Shakti, Extrapolation
Pat Metheny - The Way Up
Wes Montgomery - Incredible Jazz Guitar
Scofield & Metheny - I can See Your House From Here
John Scofield - Hand Jive, Time On My Hands
Ralph Towner - Anthem
-Tim
35 - Mark Saleski
nice list mr. luddite....especially the Jim Hall/Ron Carter record. that pair was spectacular, in their own understated way.
36 - Ironic Luddite
Charlie Christian " 1939
Django Reinhardt " 1945
Johnny Smith - 1952
Tal Farlow " 1953
Barney Kessel " 1953
Jimmy Raney " 1953
Kenny Burrell - 1956
Jim Hall " 1957
Wes Montgomery " 1957
Rene Thomas - 1960
Hank Garland - 1961
Grant Green - 1961
Joe Pass " 1962
George Benson - 1964
Larry Coryell - 1967
Pat Martino " 1967
Lenny Breau - 1969
John McLaughlin " 1969
Derek Bailey " 1971
Ralph Towner " 1972
John Abercrombie " 1974
Pat Metheny - 1975
Al DiMeola " 1976
Allan Holdsworth " 1977
Steve Khan " 1977
John Scofield " 1977
James Blood Ulmer - 1977
Bruce Forman " 1978
Bill Frisell " 1984
Mike Stern - 1985
Scott Henderson " 1986
Mark Ribot - 1990
Jimmy Bruno " 1991
Kurt Rosenwinkel " 1996
37 - Raffy BG
How about:
Chuck Loeb
Jeff Golub
Dean Brown
John Scofield
Lee Ritenour
Joe Pass
Peter White
38 - Pam Cox
what about Martin Taylor - Surely the greatest
39 - Fernando
Al Di Meola
John McLaughlin
Larry Coryell
George Benson
Wes Montgomery
Allan Holdsworth
Bireli Lagrene
Jan Akkerman
Bill Connors
Scott Henderson
Frank Gambale