Top 10 Guitar Players all genres

[stratman]

I've seen him live 5 times so far and he never dissapoints. In fact, with his new drummer Antonio Sanchez, I feel his music is the stronger than ever.

Some day if I ever have the honor of interviewing Pat, I will ask him what he really thinks about Kenny G, b/c I don't thinks his response in this editorial was straight forward enough

http://www.jazzoasis.com/methenyonkennyg.htm

What a great article, I believe it should become a sticky. How many times do we see the same points brought forth by Pat? What he says in the interview can also be expanded to other genres of music as well. A musician's intergrity towards his intrument has to be paramount. We all know Kenny G. is a hack, yet he's on the "smooth" stations with the precision of an atomic clock. The man has done more to un-educate people about jazz than any other pretender (well, maybe Michael Bolton, that's another issue) of recent fame. This is exactly what I had commented before, jazz like classical music takes prodigious amount of time to master, which requires proficiency, which requires discipline, which requires the best a musician has in order to be played correctly. You can't cut corners like Kenny and hope to be an Armstrong or a Wayne Shorter. Those that don't understand this tend to label jazz and classical music as a field for snobs who think they're above the average listener, which is not rue at all, jazz and classical music is open for all to enjoy. Putting aside some preconceived biases towards more complex music will only broaden your enjoyment of music. Beware, once you "get it" you might be labeled a "snob", radio pop will be a hard pill to swallow.

 

[gene]

The man has done more to un-educate people about jazz than any other pretender (well, maybe Michael Bolton, that's another issue) of recent fame

Agreed. IMO its so called musicians like Kenny G that are responsible for the death of fusion jazz and transformation into the jazziac we are exposed to today on "Smooth Jazz" radio stations. Thankfully there are a handful of Jazz musicians left that don't succumb to this and still have musical integrity.

 

[stratman]

Agreed. IMO its so called musicians like Kenny G that are responsible for the death of fusion jazz and transformation into the jazziac we are exposed to today on "Smooth Jazz" radio stations. Thankfully there are a handful of Jazz musicians left that don't succumb to this and still have musical integrity.

Right on the money. Return to forever, Weather Report where has the influence and innovation brought forth by bands such as these gone? In many aspects music hasn't moved forward, marketed tripe has, it rules the airwaves and smooth jazz is the abomination which can fairly be compared to Britney Spears on acid.

 

[stratman]

Oh and before I forget: Jon Pizzarelli.

 

[highfihoney]

A sweet lil video.

These 3 guy's have allready been mentioned a bunch,here's a killer video of all of em together doing a classic.

I could watch paco play endlessly,the guy has crazy fingers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cadbYIzhqQ

 

[stratman]

Hey HH,

There's just one word for that video: articulate!

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Agreed. IMO its so called musicians like Kenny G that are responsible for the death of fusion jazz and transformation into the jazziac we are exposed to today on "Smooth Jazz" radio stations. Thankfully there are a handful of Jazz musicians left that don't succumb to this and still have musical integrity.

Some of us happen to like smooth jazz. I certainly listen to much more challenging jazz when I am in the mood to do so, but I get a lot of enjoyment from Lee Ritenour, Mindi Abair, Jeff Lorber, et. al.

 

[gene]

Some of us happen to like smooth jazz. I certainly listen to much more challenging jazz when I am in the mood to do so, but I get a lot of enjoyment from Lee Ritenour, Mindi Abair, Jeff Lorber, et. al.

Lee Ritenour is a phenominal guitarist, one of the great ones in Jazz. Unfortunately his music (like so many other jazz musicians) for the past decade or so IMO has been less than inspiring b/c he has to confirm to the Smooth Jazz radio station protocol to get air time.

 

[stratman]

Lee Ritenour is a phenominal guitarist, one of the great ones in Jazz. Unfortunately his music (like so many other jazz musicians) for the past decade or so IMO has been less than inspiring b/c he has to confirm to the Smooth Jazz radio station protocol to get air time.

In some parts that'll be called "selling out".

 

[Tomorrow]

Hey, S-Man and all you guitar-star wannabes like me o )....here's a little lesson from one of the best. LOL. Nothing on my body moves this fast....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLa6iW7dRf4&mode=related&search=

Here is another youtube put together by an old friend. It, and the song written and played by Fender Living Guitar Legend, Hughie Thomasson, honor the recent revival of my favorite band of the '70's/80's, the Outlaws. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiRXv2ZlvuA&mode=related&search=

 

[KC HiFi]

I myself cannot believe that Michael Hedges was not mentioned more.

I loved that Symphony Harp Guitar he played. I keep hoping to run accross one someday. Absolutly beautiful sounds that man made. Live performances were incredible. He is most certianly missed.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I myself cannot believe that Michael Hedges was not mentioned more.

I loved that Symphony Harp Guitar he played. I keep hoping to run accross one someday. Absolutly beautiful sounds that man made. Live performances were incredible. He is most certianly missed.

I was always a big Michael Hedges fan. I only wish he had recorded more ensemble stuff. Solo guitar is something I only like in small doses, even from someone that good.

 

[stratman]

Elliot Randall, did solo for Steely Dan's Reelin' in The Years....Page's favorite all time solo.

 

[tomahawktim]

Genius!!!!

Canadian born Jeff Healy, blind from eye cancer since the age of one. At 3 years of age picks up the guitar, invents his own tecnique. B.B. King, Albert Collins, SRV all call him prodigy, genius. Amazing. My friend reminded me of him the other day, I almost felt ashamed I hadn't mentioned Jeff.

Jeff hosts a regular Monday night radio show on Jazz FM 91.1 in Toronto.
"My Kinda' Jazz" Monday 8-10 pm is also live on the web, jazz.fm
Although he came to the public's attention with his rocking guitar, Jeff is a jazz lover at heart. He's got some chops on the trumpet too!

 

[crazyd1415]

No particular order and a lot more I could add and my top 10 would change depending on the mood I'm in.

Steve Vai(great all around, skills and emotion)
Joe Satriani
Yngwie Malmsteen(I can't listen to an entire Malmsteen cd from start to finish but he does have incredible skill.)
Santana
Tak Matsumoto
Jimmy Hendrix
Kirk Hammett(crazy solos, I'm talking about the old school Metallica, I quit listening after the Black Album)
Slash(November Rain and Sweet Child of Mine to me are 2 of the greatest guitar solos ever)
Eric Clapton
Van Halen

 

[Leprkon]

one guy who probably doesn't make the Top Ten, but certainly deserves mention with most of the players mentioned in this thread is Roy Clark. He's more know for the banjo work, but that same talent built some blazing speed on the guitar.

I also didn't see Jeff Baxter (Doobies), but I went through the thread pretty quick.

 

[Masher]

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. David Gilmour
3. Jimmy Page
4. SRV
5. Eric Clapton
6. Mark Knopfler
7. Brian May
8. Robin Trower
9. Malmsteen
10. Jeff Beck

 

[gene]

Funny how most of the picks in this thread center around rock guitarists. Don't you guys have a wider diversity of music preferences? don't get me wrong as some of my favorite music is Rock, but everyone knows the most talented musicians are in Jazz not rock or pop.

 

[Masher]

Funny how most of the picks in this thread center around rock guitarists. Don't you guys have a wider diversity of music preferences? don't get me wrong as some of my favorite music is Rock, but everyone knows the most talented musicians are in Jazz not rock or pop.

I have an EXTREMELY DIVERSE musical catalog. But, as for MY Top 10, there isn't a Jazz guitarist that makes the Top 10. Classical guitarists would be ahead of Jazz. But again, that is my opinion.

 

[robmlisanti]

My Personal top 10

1) BB King
2) Eric Clapton
3) Joe satriani
4) Robin Trower
5) Eddie Van Halen
6) Pat Metheny/Larry Carlton
7) SRV...Forever
8) Glenn Tipton _ Judas Priest
9) David Gilmour
10) Santana