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Top 10 Great Jazz Guitar Solos
Guitarist, educator, and Jazz Guitar Today contributor Bill Hart provides his Top 10 Great Jazz Guitar Solos. See what you think – and comment on our social media!
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Charlie Christian – I Found a New Baby
Charlie has somewhat of a New Orleans swing field. This tune has a short but sweet solo. This solo is very easy to hear and very clean to figure out.
Charlie Byrd Trio – The Bossa Nova Years
The difference here is Charlie uses a nylon string guitar approaching it like a classical player with his fingers. Playing brilliant jazz lines.
George Benson – On Broadway
On this tune George plays fast 16th notes very clean. He uses a lot of chromaticism and is a master of outlining the changes. Not to mention his phrasing is impeccable.
Wes Montgomery – Bumpin’ on Sunset
This is a very model tune for Wes. It’s very easy to hear what he is thinking as he plays using octaves. Occasionally he will use a fifth with the octaves. Also, will slide the octaves separately. Sliding the low note followed by the top note, still an active apart.
Top 10 Great Jazz Guitar Solos Continued…
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Joe Pass – For Django
Usually thinking of Joe pass we tend to think of his great chord melody work. This particular tune he has a lot of lines that are just absolutely brilliant. Very clean outlines the changes with such a great feel.
Herb Ellis Trio – Burnin’
This tune is very old-school swing. Herb plays just the right notes followed by chords in his solo. Very nice way to approach a trio with jazz guitar.
Pat Martino – Days of Wine and Roses
I really like the way Pat plays 16th note phrases outlining the chords. Pat made a comment to play through the changes without any harmony. Then you’ll know if you’re playing the music. It was a big lesson for me.
Top 10 Great Jazz Guitar Solos Continued…
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Pat Metheny – Old Folks
In this solo Pat breaks up his phrasing with hints of the melody. It’s almost like he is singing along with the melody.
Jim Hall – Careful
The melody is a little bit obscure over the chords. Jim has a great way of phrasing just The Perfect Note. Nothing more nothing less.
Barney Kessel – Autumn Leaves
Barney is a master at comping for himself. In the solos, he does the chords with the melody and fills it with beautiful lines in-between the change.
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