Pat Martino
Pat Martino (born Patrick Carmen Azzara; August 25, 1944 – November 1, 2021) was an American jazz guitarist and composer.
Joe Pass
Joe Pass (born Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalacqua; January 13, 1929 – May 23, 1994) was an American jazz guitarist. He recorded and performed live with pianist Oscar Peterson, composer Duke Ellington, and vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. He is highly respected as one of the most well-known jazz guitarists of the 20th century for his solo guitar playing, which can be heard on recordings such as Virtuoso.
Jimmy Raney
James Elbert Raney (August 20, 1927 – May 10, 1995) was an American jazz guitarist born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. He is best known for his work with the Red Norvo trio from 1951 to 1952 and again from 1953 to 1954, where he replaced Tal Farlow. During the same time, he also played with Stan Getz.
Tal Farlow
Talmage Holt Farlow was born on June 7, 1921, and passed away on July 25, 1998. He was an American jazz guitarist who earned the nickname “Octopus” because his large, fast hands could move quickly across the guitar’s fretboard.
Barney Kessel
Barney Kessel was born on October 17, 1923, and passed away on May 6, 2004. He was an American jazz guitarist who was especially known for his understanding of chords, chord inversions, and melodies that use chords. He was part of many well-known jazz groups and was often chosen first for studio, film, and television recording sessions.
Django Reinhardt
Jean Reinhardt (23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953), known by his Romani nickname Django (French: [dʒãŋɡo ʁɛjnaʁt] or [dʒɑ̃ɡo ʁenɑʁt]), was a Belgian-born Romani jazz guitarist and composer who lived most of his life in France. He was one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe and has been recognized as one of its most important musicians. With violinist Stéphane Grappelli, Reinhardt formed the Paris-based Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934.
Charlie Christian
Charles Henry Christian was born on July 29, 1916, and died on March 2, 1942. He was an American guitarist who played swing and jazz music. He was one of the first people to play the electric guitar.
Wes Montgomery
John Leslie “Wes” Montgomery (March 6, 1923 – June 15, 1968) was an American jazz guitarist. He was known for using a special method of plucking guitar strings with the side of his thumb and for using octaves frequently, which created a unique sound. Montgomery often performed with his brothers, Buddy (Charles F.) and Monk (William H.), as well as organist Melvin Rhyne.
Eddie Harris
Eddie Harris was born on October 20, 1934, and passed away on November 5, 1996. He was an American jazz musician who played the tenor saxophone and helped introduce the electrically amplified saxophone. He was also skilled in playing the electric piano and organ.
Johnny Griffin
John Arnold Griffin III was born on April 24, 1928, and died on July 25, 2008. He was an American jazz tenor saxophonist known as “the Little Giant” because of his short height and strong playing style. Griffin started his music career in the mid-1940s and continued performing until the month he passed away.