Looking for new, innovative players

**darvil** · 09-06-2022, 09:17 AM

Hello everybody,
I'm looking for new, relatively known or maybe even obscure players who are innovating jazz (and guitar playing in general).
I "hate" traditional jazz players with the traditional "closed" tone and those focused on playing mainly solos, super technique and/or crazy speed.
I like: players focused on harmonizing melodies rather than playing solos; those who experiment with rhythm; those who "play like pianists"; those who experiment with tone/effects; those who mix jazz with noise rock; those who don't disdain country; those who use free improvisation.
Examples of different styles from contemporary players I like: Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, Nels Cline, Julian Lage, Mary Halvorson, Miles Okazaki, Blake Mills, Marisa Anderson.

Can you suggest names of players who could fit into this list?
Thank you so much, I'm really looking for some fresh, inspiring new music.

Best,
dario

**kris** · 09-06-2022, 09:59 AM

You must be very young, but don't underestimate the older generation of guitarists and another instrumentalists.
Respect to history is the right way.

**darvil** · 09-06-2022, 10:04 AM

I'm not so young, actually! (I'm 45). I've spent a lot of time in my adolescence and first maturity listening to the history of jazz but now, since I'd like to listen to new players, I don't want to waste time listening to people who still play "like" Django, Charlie C, Wes M, Kenny B, Grant G, Joe P and so on (I'd rather go back to my vinyls and listen to the originals!). As I said, I'm looking to relatively new (at least new to me), original players. Thanks a lot.

**mr. beaumont** · 09-06-2022, 10:12 AM

Jakob Bro would be your thing, I imagine.

**kris** · 09-06-2022, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by darvil

I'm not so young, actually! (I'm 45). I've spent a lot of time in my adolescence and first maturity listening to the history of jazz but now, since I'd like to listen to new players, I don't want to waste time listening to people who still play "like" Django, Charlie C, Wes M, Kenny B, Grant G, Joe P and so on (I'd rather go back to my vinyls and listen to the originals!). As I said, I'm looking to relatively new (at least new to me), original players. Thanks a lot.

Ben Eunson- i like his book:

**darvil** · 09-06-2022, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Jakob Bro would be your thing, I imagine.

Thanks a lot, I'm listening to it right now, typical ECM sound, very subtle guitar playing, that's exactly the kind of suggestion I was looking for. Thanks again!

**darvil** · 09-06-2022, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by kris

Ben Eunson- i like his book:

Very Technical, seems more on the education side to me, but thanks nonetheless.

**mr. beaumont** · 09-06-2022, 10:46 AM

You might dig Matt Stevens too...and of course Ben Monder.

**David B** · 09-06-2022, 11:37 AM

Dave Okumu

**David B** · 09-06-2022, 11:40 AM

Nir Felder

**David B** · 09-06-2022, 11:42 AM

Jim Campilongo

**David B** · 09-06-2022, 11:54 AM

Andrew Renfroe

**David B** · 09-06-2022, 11:58 AM

Brandon Ross

**David B** · 09-06-2022, 12:01 PM

Jamie Leeming

**kris** · 09-06-2022, 12:10 PM

Chris Crocco

**Cunamara** · 09-06-2022, 01:42 PM

Ben Monder. John Abercrombie (later in his career). Julian Lage. Mike Stern. Mick Goodrick, who is the spiritual father and often direct teacher of these and almost all of those guitarists you've mentioned.

And Allan Holdsworth.

If you like chordal/harmonic playing it is hard to do better than Ed Bickert in any generation. And don't overlook Gene Bertoncini, particularly some of his solo playing.

**wolflen** · 09-06-2022, 05:57 PM

good to see new energy growing in music..

Matteo Mancuso ..one of my faves..playing finger style and applying it to all styles..with confidence and taste

recent touring with Al Di Meola

Matteo Mancuso - YouTube

one more Muris Verajic

**Peter C** · 09-06-2022, 07:11 PM

I usually type in "Matthew" Stevens because there's another guy on YT called Matt Stevens who plays acoustic guitar(?)

Gilad Hekselman - maybe start with his tune "Verona"

Black Midi if you want "noise". I love them

**EastwoodMike** · 09-06-2022, 10:51 PM

Scott Henderson, Mark Letteri?

**EastwoodMike** · 09-07-2022, 01:02 AM

Also an up and coming talent and recent winner of the Freedman Fellowship:

Hilary Geddes:

Hilary Geddes | Guitarist | Composer | Educator

**Christian Miller** · 09-07-2022, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by darvil

Hello everybody,
I'm looking for new, relatively known or maybe even obscure players who are innovating jazz (and guitar playing in general).
I "hate" traditional jazz players with the traditional "closed" tone and those focused on playing mainly solos, super technique and/or crazy speed.
I like: players focused on harmonizing melodies rather than playing solos; those who experiment with rhythm; those who "play like pianists"; those who experiment with tone/effects; those who mix jazz with noise rock; those who don't disdain country; those who use free improvisation.
Examples of different styles from contemporary players I like: Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, Nels Cline, Julian Lage, Mary Halvorson, Miles Okazaki, Blake Mills, Marisa Anderson.

Can you suggest names of players who could fit into this list?
Thank you so much, I'm really looking for some fresh, inspiring new music.

Best,
dario

Most original jazz guitarist I’ve heard for a decade or so