MATT WARNOCK GUITAR

10 Essential Jazz Guitar Albums

When I was a kid, this is going to date me, there was no YouTube, no Spotify, and no iTunes, and
growing up in a small town in Canada made nding jazz records difcult on a good day.

After buying up all the jazz albums in my local record store, for younger readers a record store was
like iTunes but in a mall, I would scour mail order catalogues looking for the next addition to my
collection of jazz records.

Without any direction as to which albums to buy, I found some great records, which are on the list
below, and some not so great records, which are denitely not on this list.

While online music sites have made it easier to nd jazz albums, it also makes it difcult to sort out
the good from the bad when sifting through the mountain of search results for jazz guitar albums
on the web.

To help you sift through the huge online collection of jazz guitar albums, Ive highlighted 10
essential jazz guitar albums that will help introduce newcomers to the genre, as well as ll out the
library of any serious listener.

These albums are not the best jazz guitar albums of all time, instead they cover 10 legendary
players, explore sub-genres of jazz and eras of jazz guitar, and open your ears to explore these
players, eras, and albums further.

Check out these records, while they might not all be your cup of tea, theyll expose you to a
sampling of some of the best albums the jazz guitar world has to offer.

And, you dont have to send away a check and wait a month for them to come back to you; you
can jump on iTunes and enjoy them today.

Man I feel old

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East Coast Love Affair Kurt Rosenwinkel

The album showcases some of Rosenwinkels nest playing David R Adler (Allmusic.com)

The most modern player, and youngest guitarist on this list,

Kurt Rosenwinkel has changed the face of jazz guitar over
the past few decades as he leads the genre into the new
millennium.

With a strong sense of melody, advanced harmonic

vocabulary, a unique tone, and strong time feel,
Rosenwinkel is a master of the instrument, which is evident
on every track on ECLA.

Recorded live at Smalls in New York, the trio albums

features strong playing from bassist Avishai Cohen and
drummer Jorge Rossy, forming one of the all-time great jazz guitar trios.

The tunes are mostly jazz standards, which will appeal to more traditional Jazz fans that are
looking to expand their collection with a more modern-sounding Jazz guitar album.

For me, Kurts playing on this record is at his best.

His ideas are creative, they ow smoothly over the changes, and the trio interacts almost as one
instrument.

Denitely worth a listen.

A Go-Go John Scofield

Those who arent afraid of the funk will denitely want to go to this A Go Go. Bill Milkowski
(Jazztimes)

 When you take a legendary jazz guitarist, John Scoeld, and

team him up with one of the funkiest trios of all time,
Medeski Martin and Wood, the results are just what youd
expect, killer.

Though it may seem like MMW and Sco have always

collaborated, as theyve been working on and off since 1998,
A Go Go was the rst time they worked together on an
album.

After putting his stamp on jazz fusion, Scoeld took a step

into the jazz funk world with A Go Go, showcasing the tone,
phrasing, and melodic control that have made him one of the most successful guitarists of his era.

For those looking to step out of the usual swing or modern sounding jazz albums, then A Go Go
will open your ears to the possibilities of jazz funk in a creative and highly improvisational setting.

It took me a while to warm to this record, as when I rst heard it I was pretty much a bebop is
king kind of guy, but once I gave it a chance it has become one of my all-time favorite recordings,
by Sco or any other player.

Djangology Django Reinhardt

Djangologystands as further proof of the guitarists casual genius. Mark Deming

(Allmusic.com)

Though Im not the biggest gypsy jazz guitar fan, I do have a

huge admiration and appreciation for the work of Django
Reinhardt.

Theres a re in Djangos solos that is rarely heard

elsewhere, and his innovations and inuence on the
instrument are still felt today, decades after he released his
rst recordings.

This compilation album, which was the last time Django and
jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli recorded together, was
culled from 50 tracks recorded in 1949 while the duo was on
tour in Italy.

On a personal note, the rst jazz concert I ever saw was Stephane Grappelli with Bucky Pizzarelli
when the duo came to my high school, as they say that night changed my life and the rest is
history.

One can only wonder what Django would have accomplished if he had lived longer; he passed
away not long after this album was recorded, but he did leave us with an historic collection of
recordings to pass down the generations.

This album acts as a strong introduction to the genius of Django Reinhardt, and is a must have for
any fan of gypsy guitar, or for those looking to dip their toes into the genre for the rst time.

Genius of the Electric Guitar Charlie Christian

This worthwhile collection conrms the guitarist to be a bridge between two of Jazzs most
glorious eras. Bill Shoemaker (Jazztimes)

To think that Charlie Christian changed the entire face of

jazz guitar all before he passed away at the young age of 25
is amazing.

Few players have had that kind of impact on jazz, and fewer
at that young age, which makes Christian a true genius of
the instrument.

Featuring selections from the few Christian recordings, and

most featuring his legendary collaboration with Benny
Goodman, this album is a must have for any jazz guitar fan.

Tracks include Rose Room, Seven Come Eleven, and

Honeysuckle Rose, reecting the energy and melodic intensity that made Christian a favorite of
swing and bebop-era fans alike.

Well never know what Christian would have accomplished had he lived longer.

In the same vein as Jimi Hendrix, questions will always be asked about where the great jazz
guitarist would have gone next in his career, and would his success have continued to grow as
jazz changed and evolved in the post-bop era.

While theses questions will never be answered, one thing that is for sure is that any fan should
spend some time with his playing, and this record in particular, to hear why he is considered to be
the father of modern jazz guitar.

Virtuoso Joe Pass

If you must have one Joe Pass recording, let it be this one. C. Michael Bailey
(Allaboutjazz.com)


Choosing just one Joe Pass record to include on this list is

almost an impossible task, but if I had to pick a desert island
Pass record, it would be Virtuoso.

Though Joe made some incredible group records, as well as

his must-have duo records with Ella Fitzgerald, he turned
the jazz world on its head with this quintessential solo jazz
album.

For me, his playing on this album is some of his best, and in
my opinion, his strongest solo guitar album, though some
might argue that last point depending on their musical
tastes.

Joes playing is raw, in a good way, and the tracks sound organized yet improvised at the same
time, leading the listener through each tune while always keeping them guessing at whats coming
next.

If I had to recommend one solo jazz guitar album, and one Joe Pass album, then Virtuoso would
be it.

While solo guitar albums can sometimes wear on the listener over time, its hard to keep
someones attention with solo guitar over repeated listenings, Virtuoso does just that.

It never gets old, and continues to unveil new layers of musical genius with each new listen.

Its the album that keeps on giving.

El Hombre Pat Martino

El Hombre is an organ-drenched speedfest that shows off this Philly kids ability to play
soulfullyIt was Martinos calling card, and this was his partyit was appropriately a good
time. Will Layman (Pop Matters)

 When I rst heard El Hombre I had two thoughts, one, Wow

this guy is absolutely amazing, and after learning he was 22
years old on the record, Well, time to pack it in.

In his long and illustrious career, Pat Martino has pushed the
limits of post-bop guitar with his lightening fast lines, deep
sense of bebop vocabulary, and excursions into the Eastern,
modal, and pop genres.

Though his playing isnt for everyone, I often hear the

comment That is way too many notes, its hard not to
admire Pats abilities and the energy that he brings to every
tune, especially on this record.

As well as being a great listening record, there is a lifetimes worth of study here for jazz guitarists
when it comes to transcribing lines and solos on this album.

When I was coming up, Pats solo on Just Friends from this album was essential learning.

Theres enough vocabulary in that one solo to keep any player busy in the woodshed for years on
end.

Whether you are looking to check out a more hard-bop album, or want to build your bebop phrase
vocabulary through transcription, this is a must-have album.

Check it out.

Even if its not for you over time, its worth at least a few listens.

And, if youre like me, just ignore those thoughts of packing in the guitar, theyll go away I promise.

Midnight Blue Kenny Burrell

Few albums capture the aesthetic of Blue Notes golden era better than Midnight Blue Aidan
Levy (Bluenote Records)

When I was a youngster, and bebop records, I never really

got into Midnight Blue, but this historic album by Kenny
Burrell has denitely grown on me over the years.

This is probably the best bridge album for those coming from
a blues background and looking to explore jazz guitar, from
both a listening or playing standpoint.

The tunes themselves have a strong blues feel to them, and

Kenny is at the top of his game, playing endless choruses of
classic jazz blues lines and phrases.

As well, fans of Stevie Ray Vaughn will recognize the track Chitlins Con Carne, which SRV
recorded and even began his solo with the same opening line from Kennys improvisation.

Even if you arent a fan of the cooler side of jazz guitar, check out Midnight Blue as itll expand
your library, and may even make you a Burrell convert, as it did to me.

Bright Size Life Pat Metheny

All in all, a bright shining statement from a time some folks think of as the bleakest era in Jazz.
Murray Horwitz (American Film Institute/NPR)

There are few players who have had the same immense
impact on jazz guitar as Pat Metheny, and it all began with
Bright Size Life.

Putting together an all-star lineup featuring Jaco Pastorius

and Bob Moses, Pat leads this trio with the condence one
would expect from a player twice his age, not from someone
making their debut record as a leader.

Outdoing Martino by a year, Metheny was only 21 when this

album was released back in 1978, and it has continued to
make best of lists ever since.

While many listeners come to Metheny through his Pat Metheny Group recordings, Bright Size Life
will always remain as one of his best, even though it was his rst as a leader.

Helping to transition the jazz world from the 70s into the 80s, Bright Size Life introduced the guitar
world to the slippery, reverb soaked, melodic and intense playing that has now become Methenys
characteristic sound.

If you only own one modern jazz guitar record, from the post Modal era, then Bright Size Life is
your best bet.

Its jazz guitar playing, writing, and comping at its best.

Live Jim Hall

A treat for all fans of Jim Hall. David Rickert (Allaboutjazz.com)



For me, this is the one record on this list that had the biggest
impact on my playing.

After hearing the album for the rst time I can remember
thinking to myself, I need to stop everything in my life and
learn to play like that, thats the kind of album Live is.

At this stage in his career, it was no secret that Jim Hall was
a world-class player, but Live elevated his status from great
player to jazz guitar legend.

It still stands as one of the top jazz guitar trio performances

of all time, and it set a high bar in regards to creativity and
group dynamics for all future trio records.

Theres something about the interaction between Hall, drummer Terry Clarke, and bassists Don
Thompson, that is a joy to listen to.

Their reaction time to each others ideas borders on ESP, with each player complementing the
ideas of the other in a musical and entertaining fashion.

This is the one trio record that every jazz guitarist should own.

Even if you arent a Jim Hall fan, but how could you not be, or a fan of this era of jazz, its worth
checking out.

And, if youre feeling really brave, sitting down and transcribing this record, or parts of it, will be
one of the biggest challenges that youll face in the woodshed.

Incredible Jazz Guitar Wes Montgomery

This remarkable setcatches precisely the quality that made Cannonball Adderley burst into
the Riverside ofcesand insist they sign him. The Guardian

 Though there are other albums that have a more direct

inuence on my playing over the years, Incredible Jazz
Guitar by Wes Montgomery is the record that made me want
to play jazz.

After tiptoeing into the jazz world as a teenager, a friend of

mine hipped me to this record.

After listening to just the rst track I knew what I wanted to

do with the rest of my life, play jazz guitar.

I knew I would probably never reach the creative heights

that Wes reaches on this album, but the record inspired me
to put everything aside and dedicate amy time to being the best jazz guitarist I could be.

Its not often an album changes someones life with that much impact, but Incredible Jazz Guitar is
that kind of album.

Its hard to only have one Wes Montgomery album on a list like this, but if I had to choose only one
itd be this record.

Full of great tunes, classic solos, intense yet melodic playing from Wes, and a strong group
dynamic, this is the one jazz guitar album every player should have in their collection.

Its a life changer.

40 Comments
1. Karl Scholes, October 9, 2015:
Ol Matt,

Yet another great email, I dont know how you have the time to put all of this wonderful stuff
together. On your recommendation alone Im tempted to buy every one of those albums by
the way.

Just recently has been particularly good; Jazz standards, Ultimate Guide To Jazz Chords,
Chord Melody, Pentatonic Scales I could go on

Of course Ill never live long enough to assimilate all this information and I dont even
consider myself a jazz player but I just wanted to let you know that I think what youre doing
and providing is terric, its all so well organised and structured, one just has to put in the
time and effort.

Once again sincere thanks and Im sure I speak for many, keep up the great work.

All the best,

Karl

2. Shane Butler, October 9, 2015:

 As always, great Article Matt! Looking forward to checking out the tunes on these albums. It
would be cool to invite your subscribers to list some of their favorite most inspirational jazz
artists/albums. Youd quickly build an archive of endless jazz greats to listen to and study
from. Grant Green is one of my all-time favorites :)

3. S. H., October 9, 2015:

Top 10 jazz guitar albums? You are a brave, or foolish, man to paint such a large target on
your back. I am on a personal George Barnes jag this month, so Ill huff and roll my eyes
that Dont Get Around Much Anymore isnt on this list. Genius! Superlative! Swings like
nuts! (Huffs and rolls eyes)

Great list. Ill get over my disappointment.

4. Tom H., October 9, 2015:

Downloaded them all. You should ask iTunes for commission :)

5. Brad Conroy, October 9, 2015:

Great list and commentary Matt!Two of my favorites are:

1. Standards by Mike Stern

2. Doble CD Consciousness and Live by Pat Martino

6. Mike, October 9, 2015:

The Real Howard Roberts one of the more musical jazz guitarists and this is some of his
best work.

7. Nelson Vargas, October 9, 2015:

Really impossible to say which is the best album, but all are incredible Virtuosso choose
Joe Pass .

8. Joe, October 9, 2015:

Good to see Bright Size Life included in this list. At least for me, I think it was Jacos very
best work, before things went bad with him. Wish there was another duet between Metheny
and Jaco, but if there had to be just one, this one is sure excellent.

9. Multiac, October 9, 2015:

Nice List. Apart from Kenny Burrell who is far from the level of the Martino, Metheny, Sco,
Wes and Jim Hall, I have to say I would have chosen most of the cd you chose.
Wondering why Benson, Mclauglin and Frisell are not on this list.

10. manlio, October 9, 2015:

Grazie.

11. Mike Quinlan, October 9, 2015:

How about Tal Farlow the greatest Bebop player of all or Sal Salador

12. tim fowler, October 9, 2015:

Great List Matt! Couldnt have been easy to make! Hadnt heard the Pat Martino one before.
Would throw in Ed Bickerts at the Garden Party

13. Walter, October 9, 2015:

Thank You for posting this one. Sometimes what us beginners need to learn jazz is
guidance. I have not been able to transfer my ear to complicated jazz structure as of yet. I
 hope this will guide my ear to more complicated Jazz style. Thank Again send more
information out like this. I will open the doors for people that have an ear an a open set to
get out of what some people call Music.

14. Lindie Naughton, October 9, 2015:

Emily Remler especially East to Wes and Firey.The missing link between Mongomery
and Methany.

15. Stan Godlovitch, October 9, 2015:

Thanks for the list.
For fans of the guitar ensemble, lets not forget Great Guitars (Concord Jazz, 1975) with
Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis.

And there might be something by Lenny Breau.

16. Marcus Almeida, October 9, 2015:

Moonlight in Vermont (Johnny Smith). I don t know where, but I think it must be here. And
I would change Pat Metheny to First Circle and Scoeld to Umberjam Deux.
Congratulation. It is a top list!!!

17. Jay Stapleton, October 10, 2015:

Great list, impossible task. And, of course, theres Grant Green

18. Paolo Arista, October 10, 2015:

great idea and great work, clear and good structured. Sincere thank you

19. Ken Rowan, October 10, 2015:

A good selection of guitarists, Matt. You might consider putting together a second list to
include Barney Kessel, Ed Bickert, Herb Ellis, Johnny Smith, Howard Roberts, and George
Benson with the organ trio not his vocals.

20. Eljas, October 10, 2015:

(some of my favourites)
John Scoeld albums Blue Matter and Protocol

Mike Stern: Time in Place

Kevin Eubanks: Zen Cafe

Miles Davis: Kind of Blue (well, I was also born 1959 :)

Scott Henderson: Vibe Station (is this jazz :) theres also a nice guitar version of Chelsea
Bridge (Strayhorn)

and, eh greetings from Finland!

21. Javier Alonso, October 10, 2015:

Too narrow a choice, obviously, but I agree with them all. Also I agree with Ken Rowan
about Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel and George Benson Without Vocals

22. Valentino Tavolazzi, October 11, 2015:

Hi Matt,
I want thank you for your terric job in developing jazz guitar culture and learning. You have
engineered the teaching method in a well organized system that includes theory, history,
 practicing, tunes, gear, critical approach. Thats the meaning of jazz guitar culture. Please
go on.

23. Bill Wilson, October 11, 2015:

Thank you, Matt, for the great list and your other informative emails. My own faves include:
Idle Moments (Grant Green), The Velvet Touch of Lenny Breau: Live!, Barney Kessels
Swingin Party at Contemporary, and Seven Come Eleven (Herb Ellis, Joe Pass)

24. 3rdwaverider, October 11, 2015:

Fantastic list I have all but Sco in my collection and will add. He is playing here in Portland
in January on the same bill with Pat Martino and Henry Johnson. This will help me
appreciate his works beforehand.

25. Gregory Nichols, October 11, 2015:

Very partial to Lee Ritenours Rits house and also Larry Carlton & Lee Ritenours Larry&
Lee album also anything by Grant Green

26. Aaron, October 12, 2015:

Like the list some albums I havent heard that I will check out. My personal fav is hard to
narrow down but lets go with Bad Benson by George Benson

27. Josiah, October 15, 2015:

Good list. I am a bit surprised that Allan Holdsworth has been excluded, though. His album
Secrets is easily one of the best jazz guitar recordings ever.

28. Ashley Kelly, October 23, 2015:

I love all your albums but would have snuck John Mclauglin in somewhere.

29. Sam, March 15, 2016:

Great album Joe Pass Continental!!!

30. Peet, March 15, 2016:

Looks very much like the list I would make. And of course it could be much longer. But what
about the Pizarellis (you mentioned Bucky, but there is also John), or with a deep bow:
Eddy Lang, regarded by some as the Father of Jazz Guitar. He played a Gibson L-4 and L-
5 guitar, providing great inuence for many guitarists including Django Reinhardt, according
to Wikipedia. And there is George van Eps, who also invented the 7 string guitar, well
almost. Much later we have the Rosenbergs, OK, that;s gypsy, but still

31. Santiago, March 15, 2016:

Great list,
Theres a couple of albums I havent heard yet.
I dont have my own list, but in my opinion Julian Lage has a lot to offer. Same case with
Nels Cline.

32. edouard adjiman, March 15, 2016:

dear friend; I am old enough 83 years old to hear live those fantastic guitarists like
Jim hall, kenny burell, django, wes , ren thomas, jimmy gourley,

My prefered record is
Stan getz with jimmy raney , at the storyville im always singingThe song is you

33. Kirk, March 15, 2016:

 Any of the George Benson stuff. Listen how the lines are put together. That includes playing
through the changes. Another Lee Ritenour.

34. Rudy, March 15, 2016:

Although the number of available jazz records was really extremely limited in the litlle town
near the French border, where I grew up in the 60s, I owned 3 records by Wes, 1 by Hall, 1
by Pass and 13! by Howard Roberts ( RCA lable) I am really amazed to nd his name
mentioned twice in the comments here. 15 years later attended his workshop over here in
Germany but at that time I hate to say that he was already over the zenith of his
technical skills. If you listen to The Real Howard Roberts an allusion to the fact that
RCA had never allowed him to play more than 2 chorusses for commercial reasons. A
real shame because even the themes on the RCA LPs are always presented with
ornaments, absolute phantastic phrasing and musical taste. Youngsters, please dont buy
them but listen at least once to HRs early recordings. Its worth while.

35. John, March 16, 2016:

Though not technically guitar records, I enjoy listening to Anthony Wilson on the Diana Krall
records he has worked on.

36. John Freeman, March 17, 2016:

Very personal choices.
Ralph Towner, Anthem
Ricardo Silveira and Roberto Tauc, Atlanticos

37. Trenty, March 18, 2016:

Artistry and Solo by Martin Taylor are my favourite jazz guitar albums of all time. Martins
playing is superb. His versions of Polka Dots and Moonbeams and Stella by Starlight are
denitive interpretations! Go listen!

38. Richard Lunn, March 19, 2016:

Yes, Grant Green but where is Charlie Christian?

39. Richard Lunn, March 19, 2016:

Yes, Grant Green but where is Charlie Christian?

Oops! Should have read more carefully!.

40. Matt, March 23, 2016:

Fantastic article, great resource! Thankyou.