Arguably no other jazz guitarist has been so blatantly imitated as Django Reinhardt, the Belgian Gypsy whose acoustic work from the mid-1930s to the early … Read More “Saga Gitane Guitars”
A veteran of the U.S. Navy’s Commodores jazz band as well as gigs with Louie Bellson, Milt Hinton and Rosemary Clooney, Steve Abshire plays jazz … Read More “Steve Abshire: Come In From the Rain”
In ways reminiscent of some of Wes Montgomery’s recordings for the same label over 30 years ago, this disc has all the attributes of a … Read More “Russell Malone: Heartstrings”
This album, devoted to jazz standards for the most part, features Swedish guitarist Almqvist in a series of unaccompanied solos and overdubbed duets. An accomplished … Read More “Peter Almqvist: My Sound”
This New York-based guitarist makes no bones about being a dyed-in-the-wool bebopper. Considerably well polished in terms of performance and sound, the material on Swingin’ … Read More “Mark Elf: Swingin’”
Think of this album’s title as referring to Hatfield’s compositions, which tend to be grounded in either Django-tinged swing or lilting Brazilian feels. And while … Read More “Ken Hatfield: DYAD”
Here emerging guitarist Bergson leads his trio through a mix of standards and originals (the tracks are split between two different bassists, Neal Miner and … Read More “Chris Bergson: Wait For Spring”
The instrumental talents and compositions of rising bassist Paul Brusger are featured on this disc, which is also graced by the presence of trumpeter Valery … Read More “Paul Brusger: You Oughta Know It”
One of top jazz guitarists on the far side of the Atlantic, Belgium’s Philip Catherine has worked with the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty and Larry … Read More “Philip Catherine: Blue Prince”
This New York-based guitarist makes no bones about being a dyed-in-the-wool bebopper. Recorded 1995 but released only recently, Live at Smalls finds Elf in a … Read More “Mark Elf Trio: Live at Smalls”
Even if you’re in a jaded long-term marriage or have taken a recent thrashing in the relationship wars, you needn’t feel excluded by this album’s … Read More “John Pizzarelli: Let There Be Love”
This Chicago-based guitarist plays straightahead jazz with more than a few twists. First there’s his somewhat eccentric, bright but compressed-sounding tone, which has a decidedly … Read More “Frank Portolese: Last Call”
When Charlie Byrd passed away at the end of 1999, he left a unique legacy that included having played instrumental roles in helping introduce the … Read More “Charlie Byrd: For Louis”
This New York-based guitarist issued two Blue Note albums in the mid-’70s but didn’t record again until the ’90s. This date was a trio effort … Read More “Dom Minasi Trio: Finishing Touches”
Gary Wittner, a Berklee graduate who specializes in playing Thelonious Monk on guitar, intersperses his album with originals and highly quirky solo acoustic guitar readings … Read More “Gary Wittner: Roadway”
Ron Affif arguably can be described as an ensemble-oriented musician, one who thrives on spontaneity and interplay-both of which can be hard to come by … Read More “Ron Affif: Solotude”
Gene Bertoncini-who plays the nylon-string acoustic guitar with his fingers, a situation ideally suited for solo work-creates sounds that are refined, elegant, and complex. His … Read More “Gene Bertoncini: Body and Soul”
Jackie King, a multi-faceted guitarist and long-time associate of country maverick Willie Nelson, knows how to have fun and make fine music at the same … Read More “Jackie King: Moon Magic”
Guitarist Paul Abler, a native of Detroit, leads his quartet (powered by the propulsive drumming of Cindy Blackman) through a set of sophisticated originals that … Read More “Paul Abler: In the Marketplace”
Headed by Uruguayan violinist Federico Britas and guitarist Frank Vignola, this tribute group also features guitarist Eric Bogart, bassist Phil Flanagan, and guest percussionists Joe … Read More “Hot Club USA: Django Lives”