Best Jazz Guitarists

So far i've covered Rock and Fusion Guitarists in my list of recommendations, so let's now take a look at a list of Jazz guitar players that any guitar student should study in order to get better at the genre. As always i've listed ten players that i found were really awesome for this genre, but there are many many more. 

1. Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery is just a standard influence, anyone who's anyone in guitar world has listened to him and taken influence from his playing. I personally listened to Far Wes and Way out Wes. Two great albums to get in to his playing. Great albums for hearing his signature style. 

2. Joe Pass

I first heard about Joe Pass when Guthrie Govan (one of my high rated Fusion guitarists) cited him as a hero. His chord melody playing is second to none! To hear some great Joe Pass stuff you have to check out the Virtuoso albums. 

3. George Benson

George Benson is just a killer guitar player. His Jazz playing is lightening fast, but always so soulful and musical. His 80s disco stuff is pretty cool too if you like pop guitar playing. His tune I remember wes was a huge influence on me from the Goodies album. I'd also recommend Breezin as a great album for his really soulful stuff. 

4. John Scofield

I love John Scofields playing, its really quirky and full of sophistication and really musical nuances. I've played loads of his tunes in my fusion duo over the years, they're so good for jamming on, but if i had to pick one album of his i'd go with Uber Jam. Its just full of really cool grooves and awesome tone. 

5. Pat Martino

Pat is a masterful Jazz guitar player that plays through 2 5 1 licks at the speed of light whilst always sounding in the pocket. He's an absolutely devastatingly good player, his album Cream is the one that does it for me. Just blows me away. 

6. Larry Carlton

Larry Carlton is probably the most recorded guitar player alive. Hes sessioned with just about everyone, from some super albums with Steely Dan to Michael Jackson. He's got the chops, but has musicality galore, a truly fabulous guitarist. I'd recommend anyone to get the album Then and now, which is kind of a greatest hits of his work over the years. 

7. Mike Stern

Mike Stern is a more modern Jazz guitar player that errs on the fusion side of Jazz. He's a world class player and has been the player of choice for people like Miles Davis. His Album Play is my favourite pick of his extensive back catalogue. 

8. Birreli Lagrene

Birreli Lagrene is a stupendous guitarist who is a master at all manner of Jazz styles, such as Gypsy Jazz, Fusion, standards and more. He's also a hero for players like Greg Howe so don't just take my word for it, this guy is amazing. Check out his album standards to hear him ripping over 12 classic Jazz tunes. 

9. Django Reinhardt

I dont think you can have a list of Jazz players without Django in it, simply one of the most influential guitarists ever. Listen to anything by him, its all awesome. 

10. Ronny Jordan

When i set up my fusion duo i discovered Ronny Jordan in a big way. His tune after hours became a must play tune in our set list as a chilled out dinner Jazz song, and his cover of Miles Davis so what is one of the best you'll ever hear. Check out the album The Antidote for his signature sound. 

So there's my pick of my ten most influential Jazz guys. Give them all a good listen and see if you like them, also check out some other great players who narrowly missed my list, like Lee Rittenour, Pat Metheny and Norman Brown. If you like the Jazz sophistication but you want a more aggressive, distorted tone check out these fusion players, or ofcourse if jazz just isn't your thing take a listen to these rockers. Let me know who your favourite Jazz players are in the comments.