Even the most exceptional jazz guitarists often don’t get the recognition showered upon the genre’s horn players – particularly saxophonists and trumpeters. Perhaps this is because the guitar, which replaced the banjo in jazz rhythm sections, was initially seen as a supporting instrument, not ideal for solo improvisation.
Django Reinhardt playing guitar
Another factor contributing to the lack of spotlight on jazz guitarists in the early days was their acoustic instruments. Acoustic guitars simply couldn’t project over brass and woodwind instruments. While horn players took center stage, guitarists were often relegated to strumming chords in the background.
However, the introduction of electric amplification revolutionized the guitar’s role in jazz. By 1931, the hollow-bodied electric guitar became highly sought after by guitarists struggling to be heard within the brass-heavy big bands of the swing era. Suddenly, their rhythmic contributions became clearly audible, and the possibility of playing solos became a reality. Yet, the nature of big band swing, with its emphasis on horn interplay, meant that even the best jazz guitarists of that time, like Freddie Green of the Count Basie band, rarely had or even desired solo opportunities.
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Django Reinhardt marked a turning point. This innovative Belgian gypsy guitarist rose to prominence in smaller groups and redefined the guitar’s role in jazz. His incredible fretwork inspired guitarists globally and paved the way for a new breed of jazz guitarists: virtuoso soloists who were also solid rhythm players.
Charlie Christian followed Reinhardt, becoming another pivotal figure. Playing with Benny Goodman, Christian astounded audiences with his horn-like, single-note melodic solos. His advanced harmonic ideas foreshadowed bebop. While bebop was primarily a horn-driven revolution led by saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, it still allowed some of the best jazz guitarists of the 40s and 50s to shine.
Guitarists flourished in the 50s, but Wes Montgomery, a modest genius from Indianapolis, stood out. Montgomery, who gained fame as the 50s transitioned into the 60s, mirrored his idol Charlie Christian by playing horn-like single-note lines. However, he uniquely incorporated chords and octaves into his solos. His extraordinary abilities led to him being celebrated as one of the greatest jazz guitar players ever.
Montgomery’s influence was widespread. The 60s then saw the emergence of a new wave of jazz guitarists, such as Larry Coryell and John McLaughlin, who blended jazz’s complex harmonies with the powerful dynamics of rock music.
Since then, jazz guitarists like Pat Metheny have become increasingly eclectic, drawing from diverse musical influences and styles. Yet, they all owe a debt to the early pioneers who brought jazz guitar from the shadows into the forefront.
Listen to our best jazz guitarists playlist while you read.
50: John Pizzarelli (born 1960)
Growing up with a renowned guitar-playing father, swing specialist Bucky Pizzarelli, undoubtedly accelerated this New Jersey guitarist’s musical journey. He was playing with jazz legends like Benny Goodman and Clark Terry while still a teenager. Pizzarelli’s refined guitar work has graced recordings by a wide array of artists, including Stephane Grappelli, Rosemary Clooney, and Paul McCartney, cementing his place among the best jazz guitarists of his generation.
49: Norman Brown (born 1970)
Jimi Hendrix and The Isley Brothers were initial influences for this Grammy-winning guitarist from Kansas City. However, hearing Wes Montgomery shifted his musical direction. In the 90s, Brown launched his solo career, delivering a smooth jazz style that combined George Benson-esque melodies with sensual grooves.
48: Mary Osborne (1921-1992)
Female jazz guitarists are rare, but Mary Osborne from North Dakota, with roots in ragtime and country, was a formidable player who could more than hold her own against her male counterparts. Osborne captivated New York in the 40s but unfortunately, recorded only a few albums under her own name.
47: Russell Malone (born 1963)
Highly sought after as a sideman, with credits including Jimmy Smith, Diana Krall, Roy Hargrove, Harry Connick Jr., and Sonny Rollins, this Georgia guitarist also boasts a collection of excellent solo albums. Malone adopts a traditional, straight-ahead, bop-influenced approach to jazz guitar. He favors a rich, warm tone, blending Grant Green-like horn melodies with subtle chord progressions.
46: Emily Remler (1957-1990)
A tragic heart attack prematurely ended the career of this Manhattan-born guitarist who started playing at age 10. While inspired by Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass, Remler carved her own niche among the Great Jazz Guitar Players. She developed a distinctive style that fused languid grace, emotional depth, and virtuosic fretboard skills.
45: Charlie Hunter (born 1967)
Rejecting the standard six-string guitar, Rhode Island native Hunter prefers custom-built seven and eight-string instruments. These allow him to play bass lines and create complex counterpoint. After playing with Michael Franti’s The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy in the early 90s, he embarked on a solo career, spending five years with Blue Note. Hunter’s sound is uniquely his own, merging jazz with funk, R&B, rock, and pop elements.
44: Kurt Rosenwinkel (born 1970)
This Philadelphia guitarist is known for embracing effect pedals and guitar synthesizers, tools often avoided by traditional jazz guitarists. He enjoys taking creative risks and experimenting in diverse musical contexts, famously collaborating with hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest and Q-Tip. Rosenwinkel is an unpredictable player who consistently surprises.
43: Julian Lage (born 1987)
Leading the new generation of jazz guitar stars, Julian Lage from Santa Rosa, California, was a child prodigy. He began working with vibraphone maestro Gary Burton as a teenager. Despite only having a few solo albums, Lage’s reputation is rapidly growing. His skill, imagination, and unique sound mark him as a talent poised to climb even higher among the best jazz guitarists.
42: Earl Klugh (born 1953)
Inspired by country star Chet Atkins, Detroit-born Klugh became a disciple of the nylon-stringed Spanish guitar. Mentored by jazz great Yusef Lateef and later playing with George Benson, he established himself as a solo artist in the late 70s. Klugh is known for his tasteful and sensitive playing, delivering graceful and limpid fingerboard melodies with a striking blend of simplicity and elegance.
41: James “Blood” Ulmer (born 1940)
Starting in orthodox rhythm ‘n’ blues, Ulmer dramatically shifted his style in the early 70s under the influence of free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman and his harmolodic concept. This led Ulmer to create a distinctive idiom defined by scratchy chords and jagged melodic fragments. More recently, Ulmer has revisited his blues roots, though his unique approach to jazz guitar remains unmatched.
40: Eric Gale (1938-1994)
A highly sought-after session musician with perfect pitch, Eric Gale’s primary musical territory was R&B and funk. However, as evidenced by his solo albums, he was also a skilled bop-influenced jazz guitarist. At the heart of his sound was a deep blues sensibility, manifesting in a plaintive, BB King-esque crying tone.
39: Eddie Lang (1902-1933)
A key figure in the development of big band swing guitar, Eddie Lang (born Salvatore Massarro) played in Paul Whiteman’s and Bing Crosby’s orchestras in the early 30s. He earns his place among the great jazz guitar players for his pivotal role in establishing the guitar as a legitimate jazz instrument, replacing the banjo. A significant influence on Django Reinhardt, Eddie Lang is rightly considered the “father of jazz guitar.”
38: Larry Carlton (born 1948)
Like contemporaries Steve Khan and Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton was a top session guitarist in the 70s. His distinctive, jazz-informed blues-rock sound defined iconic albums like Steely Dan’s The Royal Scam and Joni Mitchell’s Hejira. Carlton’s solo work leans towards fusion, with his early albums foreshadowing smooth jazz.
37: Laurindo Almeida (1917-1995)
Hailing from São Paulo, self-taught Laurindo Almeida gained entry to the US by writing the hit song “Johnny Peddler” for The Andrews Sisters. He then joined Stan Kenton’s band and became a prolific recording artist and in-demand West Coast session musician. Comfortable with both acoustic and electric guitars, Almeida was a pioneer who fused jazz with Brazilian sounds and styles.
36: George Van Eps (1913-1998)
With his mellow, rounded tone, New Jersey-born George Van Eps initially played banjo but switched to guitar after hearing Eddie Lang. He made his radio debut at 13 and gained prominence in the 30s, playing in several big bands including Benny Goodman’s. Van Eps designed his own seven-string guitar, adding lower bass notes and facilitating his unique finger-picking style.
35: Sonny Sharrock (1940-1994)
Uniquely among great jazz guitarists, Warren “Sonny” Sharrock from New York began his career singing doo-wop in the 50s. In the 60s, he became a leading figure in avant-garde jazz guitar. Although he initially preferred saxophone, asthma led him to guitar. His signature loud and funky style incorporated horn-like lead lines and rock-style amp feedback.
34: Howard Roberts (1929-1992)
From Phoenix, Arizona, Howard Roberts started guitar at eight and turned professional at 15. Moving to Los Angeles, he became a sought-after session musician, part of the elite group known as The Wrecking Crew. A proponent of the West Coast “cool school,” Roberts’ style combined emotional restraint with technical brilliance. Besides numerous solo albums, he also produced records and played on songs by The Monkees and The Electric Prunes.
33: Kevin Eubanks (born 1957)
Nephew of jazz pianist Ray Bryant, Philly-born Kevin Eubanks initially played violin and trumpet before settling on guitar. His breakthrough came in 1980 when he moved to New York and played with Art Blakey. Eubanks released his debut album in 1983 and has been recording steadily since. A versatile guitarist comfortable with both electric and acoustic, Eubanks blends flowing melodies with percussive effects and rich harmonies.
32: Bill Connors (born 1949)
Although his time with Return To Forever was brief and overshadowed by Al Di Meola, Bill Connors, who joined in 1974, played on their seminal Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy album. This Los Angeles guitarist earns his place among the best jazz guitarists for his role in jazz-rock guitar evolution. He developed a signature style fusing jazz chromatics, advanced chords, blues, and rock elements.
31: Steve Khan (born 1947)
Son of songwriter Sammy Cahn, Steve Khan excelled as a versatile studio sideman, working with artists from Steely Dan and Bob James to Billy Joel and Aretha Franklin. He also pursued a solo career earning two Grammy nominations. In the 70s, Khan successfully merged jazz with rock, later incorporating Latin flavors, and remains a prominent jazz guitarist today.
30: Lee Ritenour (born 1952)
Nicknamed “Captain Fingers,” LA-born Lee Ritenour recorded with The Mamas & The Papas as a teenager before becoming a session ace for artists like Frank Sinatra, Barry White, and Aretha Franklin. His solo career took off in 1976 with a funkier, lighter fusion style. He was also a member of the influential smooth jazz group Fourplay.
29: Pat Martino (born 1944)
This Philly guitar master, born Pat Azzara, is a musical chameleon, effortlessly switching between straight-ahead jazz, fusion, and post-bop. He apprenticed with soul-jazzers Willis Jackson, Brother Jack McDuff, and Richard “Groove” Holmes before launching his solo career in the late 60s. Martino, keen to share his knowledge, has also authored guitar playing textbooks.
28: Ralph Towner (born 1940)
Despite becoming one of the great jazz guitar players, guitar wasn’t Ralph Towner’s first instrument. He started with trumpet, then piano, before settling on classical guitar, which he studied in Austria. After working with the Paul Winter Consort, Towner co-founded Oregon in 1970, an all-acoustic band blending chamber jazz with Eastern sounds, a precursor to New Age music. While Oregon continues, Towner has also enjoyed a successful solo career, known for his limpid and crystalline guitar work.
27: John Abercrombie (1944-2017)
A prolific recording artist for ECM since the 70s, New Yorker John Abercrombie cited Chuck Berry and Barney Kessel as influences. A member of jazz-rock pioneers Dreams, Abercrombie played with Gil Evans and in the supergroup Gateway in the 70s. He developed a warm, pastel-toned sound infused with melodic lyricism.
26: Bill Frisell (born 1951)
A student of jazz guitar legends Johnny Smith and Jim Hall, Maryland-born Bill Frisell found his niche by blending jazz with country, folk, and rock. His ability to create mood and atmosphere using effects is part of his signature style. Frisell is an eclectic and versatile guitarist who has expanded the instrument’s boundaries.
25: Freddie Green (1911-1987)
From South Carolina, Freddie Green was a long-standing member of the Count Basie band for nearly fifty years. He started on banjo before moving to six-string guitar, rising to fame in the big band swing era. Rarely soloing, Green focused on driving the rhythm section with swinging chordal accompaniment. He defined big band guitar playing.
24: Herb Ellis (1921-2010)
There’s a hint of country twang in the bebop style of Texas guitarist Herb Ellis. He gained prominence in the Oscar Peterson Trio during the 50s. Ellis co-founded The Great Guitars, a jazz guitar supergroup, with Joe Pass, Charlie Byrd, and Barney Kessel.
23: Al Di Meola (born 1954)
A fretboard speed virtuoso from New Jersey, Al Di Meola fused flamenco passion with Santana-esque Latin rock energy. He was discovered at 19, replacing Bill Connors in Chick Corea’s Return To Forever, then launched a successful solo career.
22: Lenny Breau (1941-1984)
From Auburn, Maine, Lenny Breau, born into a country music family, played in his family’s band as a teen. After a jazz-infused solo angered his father, he gravitated toward jazz and flamenco. Breau’s technical brilliance resulted in a unique style with country roots.
21: Mike Stern (born 1953)
Born Mike Sedgwick in Boston, Mike Stern played in Billy Cobham’s fusion band in the 70s and then joined Miles Davis’ comeback band in 1981. After leaving Miles in ’83, Stern’s solo career blossomed. He became known as a versatile guitarist who blends blues and rock power with jazz sophistication.
20: John Scofield (born 1951)
Like Mike Stern, Ohio-born John Scofield played fusion with Billy Cobham and replaced Stern in Miles Davis’ band for two years. With his distinctive acerbic tone and bluesy bends, Scofield developed a recognizable style and has recorded across diverse genres, including jam band funk, orchestral jazz, and country.
19: Charlie Byrd (1925-1999)
A jazz proponent of the nylon-stringed classical guitar, Virginia-born Charlie Byrd studied with Spanish master Andre Segovia. His breakthrough album Jazz Samba, recorded with Stan Getz in 1962, fused jazz improvisation with Brazilian rhythms, establishing him as one of the best jazz guitarists. Byrd’s finger-picked style is unique in jazz.
18: Allan Holdsworth (1946-2017)
A musical innovator, British jazz guitarist Allan Holdsworth advanced guitar vocabulary using unusual scales and progressive rock elements, including effects pedals. Despite ornate finger-picking, he favored a smooth, legato melodic style, influenced by the saxophone.
17: Larry Coryell (1943-2017)
Often called “The Godfather Of Fusion,” Galveston-born Larry Coryell (Laurence Van DeLinder III) replaced Gabor Szabo in Chico Hamilton’s band. He gained fame in the late 60s as a jazz-rock proponent, leading his fusion band Eleventh House in the 70s and forming The Guitar Trio with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucía. Coryell, a hugely influential figure, bridged jazz and rock.
16: Jimmy Raney (1927-1995)
Jimmy Raney, from Kentucky, replaced Tal Farlow in the Red Norvo Trio. He became a bandleader in the mid-50s, twice winning DownBeat magazine’s Best Guitarist poll. His eloquent style, with clear melodies and cool harmonies, earned him many fans. He recorded with Stan Getz, Oliver Nelson, and Eddie Harris.
15: John McLaughlin (born 1942)
Miles Davis was so impressed with John McLaughlin’s playing that he named a song after him on Bitches Brew. Before that, the Yorkshire-born guitarist was a top London session musician in the 60s. He played with Tony Williams’ Lifetime before co-founding the influential jazz fusion supergroup Mahavishnu Orchestra in the 70s. McLaughlin blends technical brilliance, emotional depth, and Indian music appreciation, remaining a leading jazz guitarist and jazz-rock pioneer for decades.
14: Gabor Szabo (1936-1982)
With his blend of Hungarian Gypsy folk music, modal vamps, Indian ragas, and psychedelic sounds, Budapest-born Gabor Szabo significantly influenced Carlos Santana. His career took off with Chico Hamilton’s innovative jazz group in the early 60s, followed by a successful solo career.
13: Johnny Smith (1922-2013)
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Johnny Smith was a versatile and precocious musician, learning guitar as a child. His versatility allowed him to play swing, bebop, and avant-garde classical music. Smith was also a composer; his 1954 song “Walk, Don’t Run” became an instrumental standard and a hit for Chet Atkins and The Ventures.
12: Stanley Jordan (born 1959)
In 1985, Chicago-born Stanley Jordan caused a sensation with his Blue Note debut, Magic Touch, showcasing his unique tapping technique. Jordan could play melodies and chords simultaneously with both hands, like a pianist. His phenomenal talent earns him a place among the best jazz guitarists.
11: Tal Farlow (1921-1998)
North Carolinian Talmadge Farlow, a self-taught guitarist, was a sign-painter by day and musician by night. Inspired by Charlie Christian, he built his first electric guitar. His solo career took off in the mid-50s, earning him the nickname “The Octopus” for his large hands and incredible technical skill.
10: Pat Metheny (born 1954)
This Missouri-born guitar chameleon, whose credits range from David Bowie to Joni Mitchell and Ornette Coleman, cites Wes Montgomery and Jim Hall as key influences. Lyrical, harmonically rich, and boundary-dissolving, Metheny’s music defies easy categorization, earning him 20 Grammy awards. He is not only one of the best jazz guitarists but also the most progressive in jazz today.
9: Joe Pass (1929-1994)
New Jersey native Joe Pass (Joe Passalaqua) started guitar at nine and was performing professionally by 14. A supremely versatile guitarist, he developed a unique style of melodic lines using chord progressions. Pass accompanied Ella Fitzgerald for many years and played extensively with Oscar Peterson.
8: Kenny Burrell (born 1931)
A sought-after sideman and recording artist, Detroit-born Kenny Burrell drew from blues, Charlie Christian, and Django Reinhardt. Starting guitar at 12, he debuted on record at 20 with Dizzy Gillespie. Burrell became a key figure in hard bop, playing soulfully and swinging hard. His credits include Sonny Rollins, Billie Holiday, and Tony Bennett.
7: Barney Kessel (1923-2004)
A member of the LA session group The Wrecking Crew, Barney Kessel from Oklahoma rose to prominence in the 50s as a leader and sideman. He famously accompanied Julie London on her 1955 album Julie Is Her Name. Kessel played with jazz greats from Billie Holiday to Sonny Rollins, known for his mellow sound and chord choices.
6: Grant Green (1935-1979)
A prolific Blue Note artist in the 60s and early 70s, St Louis-born Grant Green, influenced by bebop horn players, favored single melodic lines over chords. His minimalist, blues-infused style was often highlighted in organ trios. Idle Moments is a great starting point to explore his work.
5: George Benson (born 1943)
Influenced by Charlie Christian and mentored by Wes Montgomery, George Benson from Pittsburgh was a child prodigy. He became a jazz and soul superstar in the 70s as a vocalist. A skilled soul-jazz guitarist, Benson is known for scatting while doubling the melody on guitar. Arguably the greatest living jazz guitarist.
4: Jim Hall (1930-2013)
Born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Ohio, Jim Hall started guitar at 10. Hearing Charlie Christian profoundly influenced his style. Known for his warm, mellow sound, Hall mastered space and tonal contrast. His eclectic collaborations and wide musical settings expanded jazz guitar’s lexicon, making him one of the best.
3: Charlie Christian (1916-1942)
Texas-born Charlie Christian, a true jazz guitar revolutionary, gained fame with Benny Goodman from 1939-41. He pioneered electric guitar in jazz, using single-note lines like a horn player, bringing the guitar to the forefront as a solo instrument. An early bebop proponent, Christian died young at 25 from tuberculosis.
2: Django Reinhardt (1910-1953)
Belgian-born Romani Django Reinhardt, the father of European “hot” jazz in the 30s, had prodigious technical ability despite playing with only two fingers and his thumb due to a fire injury. He combined speed, precision, dazzling skill, imagination, and deep emotion. A jazz giant whose playing remains astonishing.
1: Wes Montgomery (1923-1968)
Topping our list of great jazz guitar players is Wes Montgomery, a revered and influential Indianapolis genius who couldn’t read music. Using only his thumb, Montgomery was inspired by Charlie Christian’s bebop phrasing but developed a more advanced harmonic style with block chords and octaves. He died too young, but his music and influence endure. Start with Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery.
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