10 Essential Jazz Guitar Albums
When I was a kid, there was no YouTube, no Spotify, and no iTunes.
Yeah, I’m dating myself here…
Plus, growing up in a small town in Canada made finding jazz records difficult…on a good day.
I bought every jazz album I could find at my local record store.
For younger readers, a record store was like Spotify but in a mall…
I even sent away for mail-order catalogues of jazz records to try and build my collection.
Without any direction, I found some great records and some not-so-great records.
While online music sites have made things easier, it’s difficult to sift through endless search results for “jazz guitar albums.”
To help, I’ve put together a list of 10 essential jazz guitar albums that will appeal to new and veteran listeners alike.
These albums expose your ears to a sampling of the best playing the jazz guitar world has to offer. And…
You don’t have to send a check and wait a month for them to come back; you can jump on Spotify and enjoy them today.
Yeesh, I feel old…
10. East Coast Love Affair – Kurt Rosenwinkel
“The album showcases some of Rosenwinkel’s finest playing” – David R Adler (Allmusic.com)
Kurt Rosenwinkel has become the face of jazz guitar over the past few decades.
Possessing advanced vocabulary, personalize tone, and strong feel, Rosenwinkel is a master of the instrument. And…
All of these qualities shine on ECLA.
Recorded live at Smalls, Kurt, bassist Avishai Cohen, and drummer Jorge Rossy form one of the great jazz guitar trios.
The tracks are mostly standards with a twist, giving traditional jazz fans a steppingstone into the modern jazz world.
For me, Kurt’s playing on this record is some of his very best.
His ideas are creative, they flow smoothly over the changes, and the trio interacts almost as if they are one instrument.
Worth a listen for all jazz guitar fans.
9. A Go-Go – John Scofield
“Those who aren’t afraid of the funk will definitely want to go to this A Go Go.” – Bill Milkowski (Jazztimes)
When you combine John Scofield with Medeski, Martin, and Wood the results are just what you’d expect…killer.
Scofield is at his best with A Go Go, showcasing the tone, phrasing, and melody that have come to define his sound.
For those looking to explore funk and modern jazz, A Go Go is the perfect place to start.
8. Djangology – Django Reinhardt
“Djangology…stands as further proof of the guitarist’s casual genius.” – Mark Deming (Allmusic.com)
Though I’m not the biggest Gypsy jazz fan, I do have a huge admiration and appreciation for Django Reinhardt’s artistry.
There is a fire in Django’s solos that are addictive. And…
His influence is still felt today, decades after he released his first recordings.
This compilation, which was the last time Django and Stephane Grappelli recorded together, is from a 1949 tour of Italy.
On a personal note, the first jazz concert I ever saw was Stephane Grappelli with Bucky Pizzarelli.
That night changed my musical and personal life forever.
One can only wonder what Django would have accomplished on the instrument and as a musician if he had lived longer.
He passed away not long after this album was recorded and left us with a collection of recordings to enjoy forever.
This album is the perfect intro to Django’s genius and is a must have for any Gypsy jazz fan.
7. Genius of the Electric Guitar – Charlie Christian
“This worthwhile collection confirms the guitarist to be a bridge between two of Jazz’s most glorious eras.” – Bill Shoemaker (Jazztimes)
To think that Charlie Christian changed the entire face of jazz guitar before the age of 25 is amazing.
Few players have had that kind of impact on jazz, and even fewer at such a young age.
Featuring mostly tracks from his 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.
This collection reflects the energy and melodic intensity that made Christian a favorite of swing and bebop-era fans alike.
Questions will always be asked about where Christian would have gone next in his musical output had he lived longer.
While these questions go unanswered, one thing remains clear, Charlie Christian was a true genius of jazz guitar.
6. Virtuoso – Joe Pass
“If you must have one Joe Pass recording, let it be this one.” – C. Michael Bailey (Allaboutjazz.com)
Choosing one Joe Pass record to include on this list is an almost impossible task.
But.
If I had to pick a desert island Pass record, it would be Virtuoso.
For me, his playing on Virtuoso is some of his best. And…
In my opinion, this is his strongest solo guitar album.
Joe’s playing is raw, in a good way.
Joe leads the listener through each tune while always keeping them guessing at what’s coming next.
Virtuoso never gets old and continues to unveil new layers of musical genius with each new listen.
It is the solo guitar album that keeps on giving.
5. El Hombre – Pat Martino
“El Hombre is an organ-drenched speedfest that shows off this Philly kid’s ability to play soulfully…It was Martino’s calling card, and this was his party…it was appropriately a good time.” – Will Layman (Pop Matters)
When I first heard El Hombre, I had two thoughts:
“Wow this guy is absolutely amazing!”
And, after learning Pat was 22 years old:
“Well, time to pack it in.”
As well as being a great listening record, there is a lifetime’s worth of study when it comes to transcribing lines and solos.
Pat’s solo on Just Friends is one that every jazz guitarist needs to explore at one time or another in their development.
There’s enough vocabulary in that one solo to keep any player busy in the woodshed for years.
Whether you’re looking to check out a hardbop album, or want to build your bebop vocabulary, this is a must-have album.
4. Midnight Blue – Kenny Burrell
“Few albums capture the aesthetic of Blue Note’s golden era better than Midnight Blue.” – Aidan Levy (Bluenote Records)
This is probably the best bridge album for those coming from a blues/rock background and looking to explore jazz guitar.
Kenny is at the top of his game, playing endless choruses of classic jazz blues lines and phrases. And…
Fans of Stevie Ray Vaughn will recognize the track Chitlins Con Carne, which SRV covered both on record and in concert.
This is a must have record for every fan of jazz guitar and guitarist learning jazz.
Doesn’t get better than Midnight Blue.
3. 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 impact on jazz guitar as Pat Metheny, and it all began with Bright Size Life.
Featuring Jaco Pastorius and Bob Moses, Bright Size Life is an iconic jazz trio record.
Outdoing Martino by a year, Metheny was only 21 when this album was released in 1978.
BSL introduced the world to the reverb soaked, melodic, and intense playing that is Metheny’s characteristic sound.
If you only own one modern jazz guitar record, Bright Size Life is your best bet.
It is jazz guitar soloing, writing, and comping at the highest level.
2. Live – Jim Hall
“A treat for all fans of Jim Hall.” – David Rickert (Allaboutjazz.com)
This is the one album on this list that’s had the biggest impact on my playing.
After hearing Live for the first time, I remember thinking:
“I need to stop everything in my life and learn to play like that.”
That’s the kind of album Live is.
Live elevated Hall’s status from great player to legend and it still stands as one of the top trio performances of all time.
It set a very high bar regarding creativity and group dynamics for all future trio records to aim for.
The interaction between Hall, drummer Terry Clarke, and bassist Don Thompson is a joy to listen to.
This is the one trio record that every guitarist should own. And…
Transcribing this record, or parts of it, will be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in the woodshed.
1. Incredible Jazz Guitar – Wes Montgomery
“This remarkable set…catches precisely the quality that made Cannonball Adderley burst into the Riverside offices…and insist they sign him.” – The Guardian
Incredible Jazz Guitar is the record that made me want to be a jazz guitarist.
While tiptoeing into jazz as a teenager, a friend of mine hipped me to this record.
After listening to the first track, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, play jazz guitar.
The record inspired me to be the best jazz guitarist I could be.
It’s not often an album changes someone’s life like this.
But.
Incredible Jazz Guitar is that kind of album.
It’s hard to only have one Wes Montgomery album on a list like this, but if I must choose only one, it’s Incredible Jazz Guitar.
Full of classic solos and a strong group dynamic, this is the one jazz guitar album every player should have in their collection.
It’s a life-changer.
Which jazz albums would make your list of 10 essential records?
Respond to this email and let me know.
Cheers,
Matt
P.S. Here’s a playlist that has all 10 albums for you to check out.