Great Tunes and Albums (for Learning about Jazz Guitar)

Hey everyone!

I was just randomly on YouTube and I noticed that the wonderful album by Kenny Burrell featuring Stanley Turrentine and Ray Barretto was online. I used to not want to recommend watching music on YT (back in the day) because the musicians didn’t receive royalties, but I guess they’ve sort of sorted that out …

In any case here’s a bunch of great tunes and albums that I think anyone interested in learning more about “jazz” guitar (for example, swing, bebop, post bop, latin jazz, bossa nova, ragtime, New Orleans swing like the Hot Five, fusion, ECM-style, etc).

These classic cuts are a mixture of my favorite tunes and albums, plus a lot of the classics that have to do with ‘jazz’ guitar.

Hope you enjoy. If you have an suggestions, ideas, comments, questions, please leave a comment or contact me!

Does Anyone Know of a Recording of Wes playing with the John Coltrane Quartet?

Please let me know if you do! Thanks!

Midnight Blue | Kenny Burrell

Beautiful moods and instrumentations (I love congas in situations like this). This album encapsulates so much about what people love jazz guitar!

Django!

Wow! These clips are timeless! I love Django – what a great heart and imagination. If I can find him playing electric guitar I’ll post it. About 30 years ahead of his time (on electric).

Wait – this video says Django played piano?!? Hahaha

Besides amazing music that’s fun to listen to, it goes to show how hard you can swing with a quarter pulse on guitar – even if there’s no drums. And, well, like 4 guitars hahaha.

Wes!

Here’s two of my favorite (and slightly less well known) tunes that Wes plays. Milestones and Mellow Mood – both with Jimmy Smith. I think Wes and Jimmy are the best! I definitely love the organ and guitar sound. For sure one of the best things about jazz guitar!

Here’s the classic!

John McLaughlin!

Of all the fusion guitarists, I think I relate most John McLaughlin. Here’s why 🙂

This album definitely opened up some many musical pathways to the world!

Birds of Fire – one of the classic fusion album (with guitar). Here’s a great track:

Miles Davis!

Thinking of John McLaughin reminds of one of my favorite (more chill) Miles Davis “fusion” albums. In a Silent Way. Very beautiful with understated guitar.

Freddie Green!

Freddie’s time aka the Count Basie Orchestra groove. Heavenly! Here “just” the rhythm section.

Joe Pass!

To me Joe Pass really embodies what the classic jazz guitar is all about. And he’s played with some very wonderful musicians!

Bola Sete!

This album was another one that I’ve always loved. Not so many people know about this, but I think it really embodies so much about “jazz guitar” and Brasilian music. This is the classic medley. What a great band with amazing style and energy!

Al DiMeola!

Al DiMeola is best know for his fusion guitar playing. But my personal favorite is where he plays latin-style, nylon-string guitar. Beautiful. And really an ear and eye-opener about what you can do with just acoustic guitar and percussion.

Grant Green!

One of my favorite sides featuring Mr. Grant Green!

And one of his classic albums!

George Benson!

Pat Martino!

Kevin Eubanks!

Pat Metheney!

https://youtu.be/YSIgQlboQsU

Charlie Christian!

John Scofield!

Bill Frisell!

Baden Powell!

Jim Hall!

Ed Bickert!

Luiz Bonfa!

Ernest Ranglin!

Charlie Hunter!

Carlos Santana!

So Much Beautiful Music in the World!

Hope you enjoyed some of the tunes. There’s so much beautiful music in the world and think jazz guitar has certainly contributed a good deal to the good vibes!

The above tracks are just a short list of some of the amazing music out there – I will try to add in the future. But I thought this was a good start!

All the best and take care!

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