MY TOP 10 JAZZ GUITARISTS

I'm a jazz fan not an expert. Here's my top 10 jazz guitarists. It's great when I hear other people's opinions. I often learn of artists that I haven't heard before.
1) Road Song - Wes Montgomery
2) Minor Swing - Django Reinhart
3) And I Love Her - Pat Metheny
4) A Foxy Chick & A Coolcat - Joe Pass
5) K Twist - Kenny Burrell
6) Lately - George Benson
7) The Claw - Lenny Breau
8) Work Song -Grant Green
9) Checkered Past - John Scofield
10) Things Ain't What They Used To Be - Jim Hall

[@NothingMaster]

Joe Pass looked like an accountant gone rogue; with so much massaging techniques and soulful improvisations that made the guitar cry transcendental numbers.

[@kashraoufi]

I'm a guitarist of 50 years, you got all the influential one's down to the "T" except for Charlie Christian. Loved your taste.

[@ljamiol]

Thank you for sharing, Back in the early 60's a friend let me borrow his H.R. is a Dirty Guitar Player LP. Needless to say, my life hasn't been the same since. I still worked my way through college playing Rock & Roll, but jazz was in my heart and it still is. We need to make it a top twenty list at the least. Peace to all!

[@eastonpeter1242]

HR ! Yes! Same history.

[@Pedro83214]

A fine selection of guitarists and titles!!! There are many others that are great, but my proposal for you is: Bireli Lagrene!

[@bechet12]

For me, it's hard to come up ten because there are so many great ones and then there are those who made incredible contributions who continue to go unnoticed! For me, it has to start with the important ones Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Johnny Smith,Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, George Benson, Pat Martino, Hank Garland, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel. Also, many people don't know how much of an influence George Van Eps was on Joe Pass regarding solo guitar. Then the modern players which come from Jim Hall.....John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, Mick Goodrick, Scofield, Mike Stern and those that don't...Mark Whitfield, Russel Malone etc.

[@galenhunsucker8187]

As a professional guitarist let me just say"nice list" All a true blessing to hear..... Especially Wes

[@sitarnut]

We bought Wes Lp's when new back in the 60's - no one grooves us like he does. He will always be No.1 to us.

[@musket-hc1fc]

Excellent format! Just the right amount of music to accompany your choices. Pictures are good too.

[@juancpgo]

The great innovator and genius: Charlie Christian (he was the one almost everyone in your list copied) Underappreciated masters: George Van Eps, Howard Roberts, Jimmy Rainey, Johnny Smith, Calvin Newborn, Billy Bean

[@thomascannon2909]

Howard Roberts was the "epiphany" of LA studio guitarists back in the day. He was heard on many TV show theme songs & hardly anyone knew who they were listening to. Great solo album productions too!

[@anthonyhall7146]

jazz guitar charles

[@anthonyhall7146]

Thomas Cannon

[@anthonyhall7146]

Thomas Cannon

[@guyduval2158]

Billy bauer oscar allleman Barney Kessel

[@darrellrees4371]

Great Video! Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees, it is still a great list. And unlike so many video of this sort, the clips are long enough to give a decent sample of each musician's chops. Thank you.

[@rozaygh]

My Top Ten (Based on Guitarists I have listened to) 1. Wes Montgomery 2. Grant Green 3. Django Reinhardt 4. Charlie Christian 5. Pat Metheny 6. George Benson 7. Guthrie Govan 8. Juan Carlos Quintero 9. Earl Klugh 10. Joe Pass

[@MaguireGuitar]

And Baden Powell

[@stringbender57]

Nice compilation of Jazz greats! 😎

[@btinamerica]

Great list. I thought of Pat Martino, Herb Ellis, Tal Farrlow. Of course you could go on forever.

[@kevinkinnu341]

Great list and great cuts

[@doctorskull8197]

Very nice selection. 👍

[@irishmuso7129]

Nice list and a few tunes I wasn't familiar with. Many thanks.

[@cmin7b9]

All great players🤙 each with their own unique style. Thanks for pulling this together.

[@jean-lucbersou758]

Le montage des extraits filmés et des images ou photos est excellent ! Bravo et Merci !

[@michaelcorenzwit716]

The omissions of John McLaughlin and Barney Kessel is egregious.

[@vedo0701]

great compilation thank you

[@Borzovik]

You have opened some new guitarist's names for me. Thank you!

[@maxswing78]

Where is Charlie Christian,Barney Kessel,Tal Farlow,Herb Ellis and Jimmy Raney?

[@gilbertomolina2177]

Ed Bickert - Philip Catherine - Rene Thomas - Doug Raney and more !

[@bpmotion]

video title says "my top".

[@Biggus63]

@@bpmotion Yeah but Charlie Christian has to be there. Any best list without him is silly. He should be in the top three.

[@augustineriley5582]

@@bpmotion As you rightly remind bitching posters, its the site hosts TOP TEN, - as the old saying goes: "No good deed goes unpunished" Peace.

[@davidsheriff9274]

One correction, the version of Minor Swing that you played was from a live recording by Stochelo Rosenberg, not Django Reinhardt.

[@LL-vy5bj]

Nice to see Grant Green on the list! Idle moments might be one of my favourite albums of any genre ever

[@farshimelt]

Anthony Wilson. He doesn't play the usual guitar cliches and rarely goes where you think he's going. Sort of the Thelonius Monk of the guitar. Willy Nelson is another, for the same reasons.

[@trucks2byhalia]

Good choices. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think Charlie Christian must be included on any list of top jazz guitarists. Without him and other electric guitar pioneers such as George Barnes, the electric guitar as a solo instrument in jazz, blues, country, and rock would not exist. He might not have been the fastest guitarist, but NOBODY can play like him; NOBODY has his sense of timing.

[@oldiesfan1968]

Stephen Brewer Hello Stephen Another couple of great guitarists that I hadn't heard before. My wife isn't going to be happy with my iTunes purchases. I'm telling her their my Valentine's presents. Cheers

[@2009framat]

"...but I think Charlie Christian must be included on any list of top jazz guitarists" It would be true if that were not a personal Top 10. I would have also included JOHNNIE SMITH maybe BARNEY KESSEL,too but TOP 10 is tough. A good choice btw

[@gilbertomolina2177]

Hank Garland - Rene Thomas - Joe Pass - Ron Eschete - Bruce Forman - Vic Juris - Jimmy and Doug Raney and more ! Greetings !

[@timpettingaleguitar]

All great choices!

[@550Guitarman]

If you take technique, inventiveness, swing, melody, and harmony altogether, can't even find a close second to Barney Kessel. Some of those chosen are kind of a stretch for jazz, but were wonderful, as well.- Charles

[@anfiorsceal]

A varied and thoughtful list - they're all key figures, thank you.

[@MJCGuitar]

This is great!

[@richardjansen3838]

Pat Martino is rated very high by the top jazz players of the last three decades. Give him a listen and you'll agree.

[@robertdouglas4293]

I'm still a child these days when it comes to jazz , 60, still working on it, cause you never stop learning,

[@bobep4415]

Buddy Fite, a relatively unknown lumberjack from the northwest. He supposedly couldn't read music, but he naturally had the touch. Check out his version of Fly Me To The Moon on youtube. At times it sound like two guitarists, but it is all Buddy.

[@42percent]

I would also add Jimmy Bruno.

[@promerops]

Can we please have an honorable mention for Barney Kessel, Pat Martino, Ralph Towner and Charlie Byrd? Thanks for a fine video.

[@graham6853]

Great video. I'd throw in Kurt Rosenwinkel in there too.

[@larrythomas7512]

More people should find out about Lenny Breau...

[@PetraKann]

Nice list of greats. Maybe a John McLaughlin could have been included - but who do you exclude?

[@DavidBlues777]

Where is Pat Martino?

[@jmsbk12345]

Have you noticed I put Pat in my top jazz guitarists?

[@thuxta]

Agree pat martino is in the top 5

[@rdpatterson2682]

Philadelphia...

[@lwmson]

Great list! I agree with most of it. The only place I would disagree is the listing of Pat Matheny at number 3. But I think you have excellent taste in jazz guitarists. You do indeed know the greatest and most influential players. But I would replace Matheny with Herb Ellis.

[@blondstallion]

+joe jones Your words exactly, I'd substitute Pat Martino for Pat Metheny.linguistically a rather futile change.

[@kc2ecd]

I agree with all your picks but also would add Howard Roberts and George Barnes

[@guitarman6742]

HR is a Dirty Guitar Player.

[@newaysonly]

Great! Minor swing on this playlist is not played by Django... it's sounds as modern digital recording/

[@edadpops1709]

Mine would be wes, jim hall,barney kessel,grant green, kenny Burrell,George Barnes, Jimmy Smith, bucky piterelli, george van eps russel malone, and jango. Hey jazz guitar all in !

[@ananyaraj8951]

Please tell that which part of minor swing was that in django's part

[@bradmalinowski]

Keep in mind everyone, there are so many! So many! Whew!

[@juancpgo]

sum all names mentioned here we''ll have about 40? not that many in my opinion, compare this number with the number of people who played/are playing jazz guitar

[@bradmalinowski]

Great choices Dude.

[@melyvilorio9026]

It's very difficult to mention only a Top 10 when there have been so many great Jazz guitarists in the past and present, a Top 50 would surely include Tal Farlow, Herb Ellis, Charlie Christian, Pat Martino, Charlie Byrd, Bucky Pizzarelli, Baden Powell, John Abercrombie, Lee Ritenour, Eric Gale, Joe Diorio, Vic Juris, Steve Khan, Jimmy Bruno, Frank Vignola, Russel Malone, Kevin Eubanks, Bireli Lagrene, Joscho Stephan, Stochelo Rosenberg, Pasquale Grasso, Stanley Jordan, Earl Klugh. Barney Kessel, Laurindo Almeida, Howard Roberts, Toninho Horta, and let's not even talk about Jazz Fusion, with McLaughlin, Di Meola, Coryell, Holdsworth, Stern, Tolonen. Frisell, Kriegel, Krantz, Henderson, Gambale, Bullock, Akkerman, Connors, Etheridge, Boyle, Garsed, Rustici, Watanabe, Ford, Rypdal, Morse, Bruno, Goodsall, Loeb, Tropea, Goodrick, Bourelly, Sunyer, Catherine, Wadenius, etc.

[@bafattvahetere]

....and 20 more.

[@ramildozancan5131]

é fodal !! os americanos são top sempre !! pra competir com os mesmos , só Baden Powell, Laurido Almeida e uns poucos outros , pra isso é preciso ter uma enorme bagagem musical filosófica e cultural !! ter um enorme domínio harmonico e ritmico !! pauleira total !!!

[@steveellis3657]

Django, Johnny Smith, Bill Frisell, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, Django!

[@nomejodanya]

I like Frank Vignola, Sylvain Luc, and (maybe not strictly jazz) Tommy Emmanuel. Thanks for the video!

[@gilbertomolina2177]

Bireli Lagrene - Joscho Stephan !

[@sega62s]

nomejudanya vignola et emmanuel sont tres loin d’être d’une pointure comparable a ces 10 mecs, crois moi, ils sont tres tres loins, genre #100 et 101

[@KimWillisRocks]

A pretty good selection

[@bobburford]

I agree with your choices as well as with all of those mentioned in comments. However, the one guitarist who should be at the top any such list is ED BICKERT. He is to guitar what Bill Evans is to piano. Ie., he sits on the throne that all other serious guitarists aspire to.

[@mangosdurrutiascaso8109]

Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis?? Missed...

[@trctc3042]

Thumbs Carllile.. He made his money in country music, but Jazz and Classical was where he blew minds.

[@stephenantonsson1516]

Top ten? Pretty good job!There's a hundred guys that might make this list but, it's all opinion. As Long as Kenny Burrell is up there, you did good!

[@lesnyk255]

LOL, another KB fan! He was probably the 1st jazz guitarist I started listening to, on some of Lalo Schifrin's Verve sessions. "Asphalt Canyon Suite" was the 1st LP of his I picked up.

[@BaronEvola123]

Glad to see Lenny Breau on the list. He was the most versatile guitar player by a stretch. He hit rock, jazz standards, flamenco, jazz fusion, classical rep and in and on and in each one, you'd think it was his forte. And the guitars. Spanish acoustic or Martin or Les Paul or hollow body, he was equally at home. If you were a producer and said "give me x," out of a myriad of possibilities, "x" would happen.

[@barryharrison2441]

Lenny was # one in my mind.

[@jacobkoch2233]

I'd like to mention that The Claw was written by Jerry Reed. And i would've picked some earlier works of George Benson (Clockwise or something). Otherwise: great list.

[@raffaelegiannattasio4004]

... and still 10. you need to do a list of top 20 guitarists. Ciao

[@arsenalius6855]

Everyone of them is great! 👍👍👍

[@paolonatalini4184]

They were All great

[@rickchalek6101]

Where's Johnny Smith on this list?

[@patbassman8251]

It does say on the title , my top 10 jazz guitarist , I personally would of had John Scholfield in the top 5 but hey its Oldiesfan list , at least he's not trying to make his list is fact like a lot of other lists , I play bass myself and it makes my blood boil when I see some heavy rock guy as the greatest bass player of all time and Jaco Pastorius not even get a mention let alone all the great upright players .

[@lesnyk255]

@@patbassman8251 There's a phenomenal young bass player from India named Mohini Dey who sounds like she's channeling Jaco, and then some. She's acknowledged the contributions of the giants of the past to her own success. (Irrelevant - and perhaps a tad irreverent - aside: she's easy on the eyes, too)

[@edadpops1709]

Dudes everywhere abide 💯

[@wazzzappening4848]

Herb Ellis,Barney Kessel,Tal Farlow,Charlie Byrd,Rory Hoffman,Ian Date,Tommy Emmanuel,Eddy Lang,Les Paul,Bireli Lagrene,Richard Smith,

[@deadmanprodinc]

Whether some people like the music or not, you have picked 10 great players. There are a lot of great players also that are not famous who play from home and upload to KZbin KZbin is a great place to learn from and you have introduced some of those players to some to great guitarists to learn from.

[@WilliamSlaght]

Check out the infamous Ted Greene. a jaw-dropping genius of the guitar.

[@oldiesfan1968]

LinkBulletBill Another excellent guitarist. It gets me thinking I should do a video of all the great guitarists brought to my attention by the viewers. Thanks for the tip. Cheers

[@Skipperj]

I was coached by Howard Morgen and when I asked him,what do I need 1st? Well ( back in 1978 ),he asked me,"have you gone thru Ted Greene's "Modern Chord Progressions?" That's a mouthful as it took me a few years to go thru it.Ted was a monster there oldiesfan1968,and by the way thanks for this great video !

[@ectomy1235]

@@Skipperj yeah I love his album solo guitar great player

[@VW421]

I've seen so many top jazz guitar players at John Pisano's "Guitar Night". The thing that set Ted apart was his passion for playing. IMHO ...and of all the choices of guitars, he stuck with that telecaster, lol I was at Guitar Night when John announced Ted had passed. Lot of tears in the crowd....... He was loved and admired by all.

[@teajaydc4484]

If I had to come up with this list, I would have likely used the same choices. But you really needed a top 20. List like this are prone to bias because there’s always favorites, and of course artists you’re not fans of.

[@BadOutcome1]

Where'd you find this version of Minor Swing.

[@oldiesfan1968]

Hello Mason This version features Django and Stephane Grapelli. It's availablle on iTunes on several of his albums including his Greatest Hits. It plays for 2:37 because there are a number of different versions to choose. Hope this helps. Cheers

[@davidsheriff9274]

It's not Django, it was a mistake, the version he played in this video is from a live recording by Stochelo Rosenberg.

[@jessemontano6399]

Do a 100 greatest jazz guitarists. That would be epic. Love your choices tho. Take care

[@baroqueguitarist5673]

What Django Reinhardt track is that ? 1:35. Sounds like a modern recording of someone covering Django's music and not Django himself.

[@jmsbk12345]

Good choice and I just about agree with you all the way. I put Django and Wes first equal and I would take Pat Metheny out altogether and put in Barney Kessel who could swing like no other. Johnny Smith, Howard Roberts Tal Farlowe, Pat Martino and Danny Gatton need to be in there as well instead of John Scofield.

[@ernietremblay1712]

John Berry My thoughts exactly.

[@jmsbk12345]

I'm pleased you agree Ernie. Metheny is a good player no doubt but personally i don't particularly like his style or sound.

[@bootybandit7824]

John, Take Pat Metheny out altogether. I have to say, that's a pretty bold comment. Even offensive!

[@jmsbk12345]

I certainly have. Have you heard of Stochelo Rosenburg. Incredible Django type guitarist.

[@U2BER2012]

Yes I sure have. He's very gifted.

[@djamellaroussimusic]

Great Choice, Thanks for your work , just one thing to say , is that the second guitarist is for sure not django Reinhard but another Gypsy guitarist, it might be Stochelo Rosenberg. Best regards

[@davidsheriff9274]

You are correct, it's Stochelo all the way.

[@djamellaroussimusic]

@@davidsheriff9274 thanks david

[@davidsheriff9274]

@@djamellaroussimusic 👍

[@stoofbuis]

Bireli Lagrene, Lee Ritenour.....and not "really" jazz,but worth mentioning: Eef Albers ( a dutchman) and the late Shawn Lane....

[@thinks461]

Forget Tal Farlow, Martin Taylor and John McLaughlin, where's Bert Weedon???

[@jazzman1954]

Haha! Brits will get this joke.

[@martinlepper4522]

George Barnes should firmly be on this list. Larry Carlton....Robben Ford....I know it's hard to make lists of bests or favorites. As long as we're here.....My favorite guitarist...any genre, is Gary Moore.

[@lesnyk255]

You sure did pick some heavy hitters! My biggest gripe would be that the video clips didn't match the fingering, and the mismatch was distracting. I think stills would have been more effective. But some of your choices are mine, too. Kenny Burrell is my Main Man (or one of 'em)... also Metheny, Wes, Sco.... Joe Pass, Grant Green... Never cared much for Django (no matter how much I admire him) - too mannered, too "European" for my taste. Your mileage may vary - as it obviously does. I don't know if I could limit my Top 10 to just ten. John McLaughlin would be right up there, especially his acoustic days with Shakti; Larry Coryell's solo acoustic albums (though it was his fusion playing that first got my attention); the great Charlie Christian (what a shame his catalog is so short); John Abercrombie, Russell Malone, Ryo Kawasaki, Terje Rypdal... and an underrated guitarist much maligned by critics named Joe Beck. His early work could be a tad self-indulgent, with lots of stock licks, wah-wah, and multiple overdubs. He became the session player of choice for arrangers who wanted to include a "now" sound (faux rock) to their recordings. But his later solo work mellowed and matured beautifully. If you decide to check him out, Tri07 wouldn't be a bad place to start, but be sure to include his early stuff, too (Rock Encounter, Nature Boy) for contrast.

[@lesnyk255]

oh, and Gabor Szabo, I forgot Gabor Szabo....

[@dfolegna]

everybody criticize this list because it lacks a name ... this is his list. in history of jazz guitar, the real influencer where Christian, Django, Montgomery and Hall. Of course all the others were influenced by them in some way. A "classic" sound like Burrell or Pass or very modern like Scofield or Abercrombie, they all come from those great 4. The important is to enjoy music.

[@raptortv7751]

Yes Wes !!!!!!!

[@SuperCarver2011]

Lots of others left out. I guess when you mean "well known". Charlie Byrd, instrumental in introducing Jazz Samba in the 60s. Larry Carlton; Lenny Breau; Grant Green ; John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell. Going back a bit : Charlie Christian

[@romekostis7948]

Wait...are you from Winnipeg? cause that's where I'm from!

[@chriscorr9124]

Louis Stewart

[@fredrickmudasia7040]

good listing! surely in music you cant rate like who is in top.....they are all so sweet!

[@pietfonteyn1397]

My all times number one will allways be Django

[@shecky308]

The man from Indianapolis still holds the chair.#1!!

[@gilbertomolina2177]

The " Thumb " Rules !

[@jean-lucbersou758]

l'idée du classement est un non sens .On peut toujours trouver d'incomparables pépites chez tous ces "géants" ...et il en manque .Maintenant Wes et Django (a part le fait qu'il ne s'agit pas de Django dans l'extrait proposé ) en tête je trouve cela bien vu ,dans la mesure où ils sont les vrais génies créateurs,complètement autodidactes ,Musiciens naturels ,-compositeurs - improvisateurs de chefs-d'oeuvre immédiatement reconnaissables virtuoses,totalement maitres de leur instrument . .Quel héritage pour les nouveaux "arrivants "! Peut-on jouer aussi bien et autrement ? Pasquale Grasso ...Julian Lage ....the show must go on ! C'est la vie imprévisible qui réserve de temps à autre d'incroyables et "miraculeuses " suprises !

[@MrPorter7]

Good list! I'd put Jimmy Bruno instead of Scofield and Chuck Wayne instead of Pat.

[@realchords8999]

Great list, but where is Charlie Christian? Charlie Christian seeded the style all of the listed players, except perhaps Django. At 22 years of age he, and the Western Swing guitarists he was inspired by, wrote the book on jazz-blues to bop guitar.

[@tituschad1144]

Wonderful lists. Great and really gifted bunch of guitarists. But why is George Benson at number six. He should be right after Wes Montgomery. George stands head and shoulders above almost every other guitarists past and present not that there is much separating them all. The most inventive I have ever heard in my life and I enjoy guitarists of every genre of music.

[@manuelcaldeiro7856]

I love George Benson too.

[@hiramrosenberg2554]

Nice list and nice song choices, but there are so o o o many great jazz guitarists that limiting yourself to 10 is being unfair to yourself. Sadly there are not all that many recordings of the great players that worked with the big bands of the 30's and 40's if they left that life after the war, or did little solo work. Freddie Green comes to mind. But here's the player you should spend some serious time listening to: Bireli Lagrene, who is the living embodiment of Django and the entire Manouche style, plus he might just be the best jazz guitar player living today.

[@chaz2wells]

Excellent choices but you forgot the great Barney Kessel :-)

[@dfolegna]

my list is: Christian, Django, Wes, Hall, Green, Burrell, Lagrene, Martino, McLaughlin, Scofield

[@mcbastard_tv6927]

I was just wondering who wait she hasn't guitar players on her but then when I started listening to it the music start but you mean to sleep then I realize this music that from me.

[@popeye1250]

A good list, nice to see Pat Metheny and George Benson on it! Too bad there aren't more Jazz fans out here. You can be a "Rock Star" and make $200 million but Jazz doesn't always pay the bills.I wonder could Jeff Beck be considered a Jazz guitar player?

[@philippeclement1570]

Idk Jeff beck is a blues man but an amazing guitarist

[@bucksix1]

Never mentioned by any one is Les Paul. Forget the multi track stuff and check out some early JATP. Another one never ever played single note solos etc but was the rock in the Count Basie rhythm section, Freddie Green. If you can't include them in your list, at least check out their work. I recommend JATP vol1 the selection called the blues. PS the piano player is listed as Garland Finney but that was a fake name since he was under contract to another label under his real name. Nat Cole.

[@mrbarbelbarbello2332]

I thought this a really good video. I've got some ideas from it thank you. I went to listen to the Django Reinhardt clip again and an advert came from nowhere. After all those great players and before Snr. Reinhardt, it dared to poke it's face in. It seemed a blasphemy. Nevertheless, great mixture and thank you for uploading.

[@WELLBRAN]

Larry Coryell, John Mcloughlan , Jan Akkerman, Al dimeola, also a great jazz player was Rick Derringer , Norman brown? Larry Carlton,

[@kentuckyfathers8559]

Yes, of course, you would start with Wes Montgomery. Check out his album, A Day in the Life. Everything is good about it including the cover. Just pure Jazz...and check out my youtube channel, where I interview authors who have written about Jazz...Book Talk with Corbin Seavers. Check me out!

[@housewhite7275]

I like joe pass performance. Nice face actions.

[@zippy3711]

For Pat Metheny you should have put in "Have you Heard" Letter from Home Album.

[@user-ek9lp2jq5d]

Hi Oldiesfan! You say that you are not an expert; this is what your top 10 is worth!

[@paolonanna3845]

Where is Barney Kessel? its omission is unbelievable! He was the "scientist" of the jazz guitar

[@edadpops1709]

Geat list. Seems new modern jazzers are not the same class as these 10, many have lost melodies completely.