(Jazz) Guitarists as Stylistic Innovators

Nicolai Foss

Although I confess to being heavily biased, I do think there is a case for claiming that jazz encyclopedia and books on the evolution of jazz typically downplay the role of guitarists. Charlie Christian’s role as a bebop innovator may be mentioned but that is about it. In an interesting academic paper, “No one had ever heard a guitar played like that before,” Paul Carr of the University of Glamorgan, points to innovative role in defining fusion/jazz-rock of guitarists like Corryell and McLaughlin who both were “authentic practicioners” both jazz and rock traditions (in contrast to Miles Davis). Definitely worth a read!