Your favorite solo players and why?

**Kirk Garrett** · 11-24-2023, 09:44 AM

I assume we use the term “chord melody” whenever someone plays alone or accompanies a singer alone. To me there’s something magical in the sound of a guitar carrying everything by itself.

Classic example being Barney Kessel on his Solo album, or with Julie London (though I think there’s also has a bass player, but still.)

There are only one or two recordings that I know of (both very lovely) of Wes by himself.

Do you have any particular faves?

**Jerome Harris** · 11-24-2023, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Kirk Garrett

I assume we use the term “chord melody” whenever someone plays alone or accompanies a singer alone. To me there’s something magical in the sound of a guitar carrying everything by itself.

Classic example being Barney Kessel on his Solo album, or with Julie London (though I think there’s also has a bass player, but still.)

There are only one or two recordings that I know of (both very lovely) of Wes by himself.

Do you have any particular faves?

Check this album out--it's remarkable for its "guitar as lap piano" mastery:

**Jimmy blue note** · 11-24-2023, 12:22 PM

Joe Pass is the one who got me started, and I've had so many favourites along the way. Now, I look forward to hearing Julian Lage any time he's playing solo. He's always so fresh and his approach to the music is always growing. Wolfgang Muthspiel, Ralph Towner, Lage Lund, Mike Moreno and Jonathan Kreisberg, same thing. Always fresh, tasteful and always showing me what is possible on the guitar.
Good to see the art is in such good hands.

and don't overlook Freddie Bryant

**alltunes** · 11-25-2023, 08:37 AM

Bill Frisell is my favorite solo player. This is one reason why:

**Liarspoker** · 11-25-2023, 11:20 AM

I like a lot of Ben Monder's stuff.

Take a listen and hear why.

**Christian Miller** · 11-25-2023, 03:55 PM

When I first heard this my brain exploded

It was an earlier video shot on a phone in low res, but it’ll do. This was about ten years ago.

He showed me something I had assumed impossible on the guitar was in fact possible. Which is always nice.

PG’s more of a known quantity now, but still absolutely insane. Not sure if he’s my absolute favouritest solo guitar, but he’s always worth checking out.

**Christian Miller** · 11-25-2023, 03:58 PM

In general I rate Peter Bernstein very highly, especially on monk.

**Christian Miller** · 11-25-2023, 04:06 PM

On this forum you might want to check out Mr Mark Kleinhaut….

**Kirk Garrett** · 11-25-2023, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by Christian Miller

On this forum you might want to check out Mr Mark Kleinhaut….

Will do. And Mr. Beaumont.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Cunamara** · 11-26-2023, 12:14 AM

Well, there are the usuals: Joe Pass of course, George Van Eps and Johnny Smith (.e.g, the Legends CD). But another favorite is Gene Bertoncini (Quiet Now, Body and Soul, Someone To Light Up My Life).

**Flat** · 11-26-2023, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Kirk Garrett

There are only one or two recordings that I know of (both very lovely) of Wes by himself.

Can someone clue me in? What recordings are these?

**grahambop** · 11-26-2023, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by Flat

Can someone clue me in? What recordings are these?

The two I know are:

Mi Cosa/Unidentified solo guitar (Guitar on the Go)
While We Are Young (So Much Guitar).

**Hyppolyte Bergamotte** · 11-26-2023, 12:45 PM

If you want to play solo guitar,the only solution is:
learn,learn,learn,learn and learn

**Walker** · 11-26-2023, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by grahambop

The two I know are:

Mi Cosa/Unidentified solo guitar (Guitar on the Go)
While We Are Young (So Much Guitar).

There's also Wes' versions of:
"Days of Wine and Roses" - Boss Guitar
"Midnight Mood" - Tequila
"Angel Eyes" - Groove Brothers
"I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" - Full House

**Jimmy Smith** · 11-26-2023, 05:07 PM

Organists of course. The sound of the whole beast of an instrument comin at ya with bass, chord, and melody is magnificent.

My teacher

**PMB** · 11-26-2023, 05:52 PM

Bobby Broom is an excellent solo guitarist - impeccable time feel and a great balance between chord and line playing.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Easy Living

My One and Only Love

People

Stella by Starlight

Tenderly

My Ideal

I'll Never Fall in Love Again

Here's That Rainy Day

These Foolish Things

**PMB** · 11-26-2023, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by grahambop

The two I know are:

Mi Cosa/Unidentified solo guitar (Guitar on the Go)
While We Are Young (So Much Guitar).

Graham, I'm sure you're aware that there are a few other versions of Mi Cosa. It was recorded with strings for Bumpin' and appears as Solo Ballad in A Major on a live at Ronnie Scott's album. However, the finest rendition is from a Half Note recording that wasn't included in the Smokin' at the Half Note package:

BTW, I transcribed this years ago. PM me if you're interested in a copy.

**Flat** · 11-26-2023, 08:54 PM

Russell Malone does a really nice job on a Bee Gees tune...

**grahambop** · 11-26-2023, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by PMB

Graham, I'm sure you're aware that there are a few other versions of Mi Cosa. It was recorded with strings for Bumpin' and appears as Solo Ballad in A Major on a live at Ronnie Scott's album. However, the finest rendition is from a Half Note recording that wasn't included in the Smokin' at the Half Note package:

BTW, I transcribed this years ago. PM me if you're interested in a copy.

Yes I’ve got the Half Note one, also got the Ronnies CD (although I’d forgotten it was on there).

Plus I’ve already got your transcription somehow, found it on my computer!

**Flat** · 11-27-2023, 12:50 AM

Rosenwinkel has a new CD out. Solo baritone. Improvised. Haven't heard much but the low end kinda fills things out a bit, at least to my ears.

**Jimmy blue note** · 11-27-2023, 01:24 AM

**John A.** · 11-27-2023, 02:45 PM

I don't have a favorite, just a bunch who grab me. Here are some:

**mr. beaumont** · 11-27-2023, 02:52 PM

Nice thread! For a guy who plays a lot of solo guitar...I sure don't listen to much of it. So this is cool, lots of good stuff I haven't heard.

As for what I like best, a lot of times I find a solo electric guitar is too tonally uninteresting to me after a few tunes. Much prefer solo guitar on acoustic, specifically on nylon strings...the few albums Joe Pass plays nylon on for example, are just fantastic.

I really love listening to Yamandu Costa play solo. Not really jazz, I guess, but he's just an absolute monster. That Muthspiel clip above is just great too.

Johnny Smith has some solo recording on acoustic archtop that are beautiful.

**Uffe Steen** · 11-28-2023, 05:30 AM

[QUOTE=PMB;1300509]Bobby Broom is an excellent solo guitarist - impeccable time feel and a great balance between chord and line playing.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

John A : Thanks for sharing Bobby Broom . I didn´t know him.
What a great player
I went to his YouTube channel also showing his trio playing. Wow

**PMB** · 11-28-2023, 04:03 PM

[QUOTE=Uffe Steen;1300751]

Originally Posted by PMB

Bobby Broom is an excellent solo guitarist - impeccable time feel and a great balance between chord and line playing.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

John A : Thanks for sharing Bobby Broom . I didn´t know him.
What a great player
I went to his YouTube channel also showing his trio playing. Wow

Hi Uffe,

I first got to know Bobby from his two long stints as guitarist for Sonny Rollins. His solo version of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes is particularly nice and turned up on the 2009 trio album Bobby Broom Plays For Monk.