Jazz GUITAR poll

I don't think old Del Bailey would have been very chuffed to be described as a jazz guitarist

yeah Cosey did Chess Studios stuff but even before that he played in ex-Sun Ra sideman and AACM co-founder Phil Cohran's group Artistic Heritage Ensemble. so he comes from a jazz background.

Django.

I miss Cosey on this, another "rock guy who played on some fusion albums" and, like Cosey, did it very well-Tommy Bolin.

I'll go with McLaughlin for "Noonward Race" alone.

tommy bolin! he's much more of a rock guitarist than cosey -- a great one in my estimation -- and yeah his fusion stuff w/billy cobham and others is good. as is his fusion-y 1st album Teaser.

Charlie Christian is the best.

Confession: I've never heard note one from Derek Bailey.
Further confession: I used to have a coupla albums by Django and Wes, but in general (Philistine rockist that I am), the only jazz guitarists I've ever paid much attention to are the so-called fusioneers - the ones who turn the amplifiers UP. I've never cared much for that fairly bland tone that is standard for jazz guitar (or used to be.)

Of the ones above, the only ones I've listened to a lot are McLaughlin, Sharrock and Ulmer. And of those three, I've gotta say John McLaughlin, largely to counteract all the ILM hate he receives on occasion. And for "Noonward Race". (Magill OTM.)

McLaughlin is great on Mahvishnu stuff, Shakti, Miles records, etc., and deserves more credit than most just for that. But he's committed a long, seemingly unending string of jazz crimes. Also, fuck Friday Night in San Fransisco. That shit SUCKS

Ok, it doesn't really SUCK, but it's super corny

Is that the guitar trio stuff?

Yeah, Al DiMeola/Paco DeLucia/McLaughlin. Always gets repped by guitar doods.

ponytails + Steve Vai guitar w/handhold cutout

Jordan -- that's wot you'd like to vote for?

No, that = guitar doods.

Hmmm...now that you mention it, I believe I only have two McLaughlin "solo" albums in total, and I've heard almost nothing he's done from the 80s onward, which could indeed conceivably suck. But damn, how many classic albums did he play on during 1969-72 alone? A dozen?

"My Goals Beyond" totally kills.

Charlie Christian is the best

Sure enough, he plays like a guy with his hat tipped back.

Yeah, he's definitely on enough great albums to make up for even a lifetime's worth of lousy albums. No pun intended, as the Lifetime albums are really good.

Does Chet Atkins count? Or Danny Gatton?

I'm probably lame but I'm voting for John McLaughlin. His playing with Miles is off the friggin chain.

DJANGO. *secret door to speakeasy opens*

Pete Cosey is on Electric Mud.

I don't think jazz guitar has really hit its zenith, there are some great players but there are few of these guys which are as amazing as writers. I think partially because there was alot more money to be made by guitarists playing other music without as much hard work.

The 70s and 80s were really good for jazz guitar. During this time for the first time the guitar became a more acceptable instrument in music schools. I think this is another major reason jazz guitar has not had as many important players as other instruments. Well that and you don't get into marching band playing guitar or at least it didn't happen much in the 40s to 60s.

Ralph Towner and Terje Rypdal probably also deserve to be on a list such as this one. They both have made some good records and have a unique sound for a "jazz guitarist".

I wouldn't put Electric Mud on my resume! ;-)

I voted for Grant Green (am session completist nerd), but might have chosen Johnny Smith too if he had been listed (which he probably deserved).

I also really like Jimmy Bruno but he is just more of a tip to anyone who might care than that he should have been on the list.

Bruno's a great guitar teacher too.

I have a Jimmy Bruno CD somewhere - it's ok.

Is he the dog from The Triplets of Belleville? If not, I've never heard of him.

No Steve Carlton option?

OK I was riding the M11 bus up 10th ave in Manhattan this eve and a grey haired older black guy w/guitar got on board at 48th. I won't say he looked EXACTLY like the late Sonny Sharrock but the resemblence was strong enough to freak me out, esp. considering this thread. uncanny.

I have a Jimmy Bruno CD somewhere - it's ok.

Well, admittedly he's no Allan Holdsworth.

xpost - Do you mean Larry Carlton? I think Steve Carlton was a baseball player.

Grant Green, people! He could swing almost any tune he tried. Also, nice to see Tiny Grimes on the list. Everyone should hear "Marchin' Along" with Coleman Hawkins from the album Blues Groove (1958). Nearly 18 minutes long, Grimes solos for 8 minutes before Hawkins comes in.

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You just like the Gr- sound.

Grant Green is pretty, but he's kinda boring on anything with more than a few chords.

Uh, pretty GOOD that is.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

"Grant Green, you got a purty mouf."

Wes all the way

This is really, really hard, but I threw in for Frisell because he's the one I enjoy the most.

Did anyone mention Vernon Reid? I hated Living Color, but he has a couple jazz records out that are pretty good. Emusic has them if you want to check it out. Can't remember the name, but I like the one with the reddish cover. Also, stop giving Vai a hard time. And those expensive Vaibanezes would be a treat to own.

yeah, Vernon Reid used to be good! He used to play with Ronald Shannon Jackson on some good records. and was he in prime time? I am too tired to look now but I feel as though i remember that. I wouldn't think he belongs in the poll though but nice one for reminding people that he didn't always suck ass.

Wes all the way until he started to make really bad records.

As a matter of fact, Reid's most recent records are go-for-broke weirdo fusion that works just fine for me.

Don't be fooled by the eyes, lovebug!

As a matter of fact, Reid's most recent records are go-for-broke weirdo fusion that works just fine for me.

I don't doubt that... thanks for the tip!

I saw Jim Hall not too long ago. The show was kind of a let down, actually.

He's kind of hit or miss as a leader - sometimes I question his taste in sidemen, arrangements etc.

i can imagine that Jim Hall can fall pretty easily into the EZ listening category -- but his stuff with Sonny Rollins, Undercurrent w/ Bill Evans and the Alone Together record w/ Ron Carter are all pretty sweet. It probably just takes someone pushing him outside of ye olde comfort zone.

Also good w/Art Farmer.

Whoa, have you guys ever heard Herbie Mann - Memphis Underground? Sonny Sharrock comes out of nowhere on "Hold On, I'm Coming," which just played on my Pandora.