Is Al Di Meola jazz?

[Swinger]

Well, it's understandable that no exact answer to this question, but just admit, that 85-90% of jazz-guitar lovers in this thread said "I don't like him")) It means something, I think...
My opinion is: jazz is freedom, and not the speed contest)) In his interview to Guitar Player Magazine, I think, Al described his early goal "to become the fastest guitar player in the World", which is sucks anyway in any concept or philosophy of jazz. This goal is just like a contest of the length of what you have between your legs in secondary school)) That's why, I think, his music don't touch any string of my soul NEVER. I repeat, all this is my personal opinion, but even if to take the beloved album of all not-understanding-a-thing-in-guitar-music folks, (who never hesitate to call this album to highlight their "perfect" taste) - "Friday Night..." Al just sucks with his steel strings and instead-of-masturbating licks))) And that's without the goals of John and Paco to be faster) Just somebody has brain, some are not.
But, whatever, as was told before, he deserve respect, like it or not... Just to record with Chick at the age of 16 is enough...Don't know what made Chick to choose this guy, but he did it)) God bless Chick!) Long live "Romantic Warrior"! Amin!)

[Synchro]

He's never done much for me. I just find it too harsh for my tastes. Arguments over what is and what is not Jazz are insoluble IMHO. One mans Jazz is another mans garbage. I've learned not to judge a book by its cover. I recently watched Jeff Beck's tribute to Les Paul and was amazed by his ability on Cry Me a River. Now here's a guy that has made his fortune playing heavily distorted guitars and torturing whammy bars but he could play sensitively and beautifully.

There's no doubt in my mind that DiMeola could play anything he wished to, he has tremendous chops. He has, however, made his name playing something I don't find particularly compelling or interesting. No accounting for tastes including my own.