Charlie Byrd was a jazz guitarist whose guitar of choice was a classical guitar. Although many other jazz guitarists have recorded occasionally on acoustic guitars, few made it their main instrument. Charlie Byrd took classical guitar seriously and for a time studied with the great classical guitarists, Andre Segovia. Another…
Joe Pass is another of my favorite guitarists. Early in his career he had a problem with drugs and spent over two years at at Synanon. He spent most of that time improving his guitar playing. He was great at single-line soloing but he was also great comping or playing…
Wes Montgomery seems to a favorite guitarist of every lover of jazz guitar. He is one of the most influential jazz guitarists of the post pop era. Not only have many guitarists who came after Wes emulated his style, they continue to issue tributes to Wes. Artists influenced by Wes…
Russell Malone’s first big break occurred when he was 25 years old and began playing with the great jazz organist Jimmy Smith. He played with Jimmy Smith from 1988 to 1990 then played with the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band from 1989 to 1994. I first heard Russell Malone as…
One of my favorite genres – in fact my most favorite jazz genre is bop. Barney Kessel was a bop guitarist who’s career spanned from 1944 to 1992. I love listening to his recordings. Great guitarist. Among those he played with were: Lester Young Charlie Christian Benny Goodman Frank Sinatra Judy…
It’s time for a history lesson. Today’s subject: Early Jazz Guitarists. Our source material comes from YouTube where you can find filmed examples of most of the great guitarists starting in the second half of the Twentieth Century. There is a problem finding examples of earlier jazz guitarists who were filmed playing…
