Jazz Music .1

For those interested in Jazz music there is a whole world to discover. Better said, there is a whole universe out there. You will never see it all, but while your at it you might as well get to know some of the evident constellations, and peek into the murky work of precious nebulae.

First let me say as others have said before; Jazz is but a word, only people need categories to make sense of things, Music is what it is. Don't get caught up in " what is jazz and what isn't jazz." However is it a common word, and I will use it.

Lets start with Jazz Guitar. My first fascination.

It starts largely with two people of two different styles. 

Charlie Christian. This man was arguably the first famous, or respected Jazz guitarist. He gained notoriety with Benny Goodman's Big Band, who hired him after being first skeptical of guitar in Big Bands then, blown away by it. 

Django Reinhardt. This guy was a gypsy in Europe and played guitar with only two fingers up and down the neck because the rest were destroyed in a caravan fire. His material is a lot more accessible than Charlie Christains. What Django does with two fingers is awe inspiring and embarrassing at the same time. 

Wes Montgomery. Wes credits much of his skill to memorizing every Charlie Christian solo. Wes's signature sound was achieved by using octaves and his thumb. His work is extensive. Check out "Live at the Blue Note" album.

Chet Atkins. Here I mention Chet as an incredible guitarist. Despite his Nashville roots and country twang. He could smoke the shit out of a jazz tune. Chet has been an entire galaxy for me. Valuable tool to learn from Chet: Right hand finger picking.

Tal Farlow. Tal had huge hands. His note structure was piano like. Super fast and inspiring. I still know not enough about this man or studied his technique much. 

Lenny Breau.     Beethoven, Mozart of guitar. Or whatever, Master. The sounds this guy created were amazing. Perhaps the most under appreciated Monster Talent Unique guitar player of all time. Check out his pitch harmonics.

Johnny Smith.  Beautiful player. Plays many large stretched out chords. Learn some of his tunes and feel your hands becoming stronger. Famous recording "Moonlight in Vermont"

Grant Green.  Grant was influenced by the horn players of the past. Thus his guitar became horn like. Its rare to hear him play a single chord. Its all single line melodic groove. The guy was awesome. Funky player, and most of his music is very groove oriented as opposed to hard to follow and amorphous.

Joe Pass. His album Virtuoso is just that. And Bold. It is a complete album of one guitar. He knows how to get the most out it. His arrangements are full and leave nothing to the imagination. A lot of work for one guitar.

There are many many many more Guitarists to note. I will pause this effort temporarily.