Regardless if you’re a beginning student of Jazz Guitar or an established player, we all have at least five albums that we cannot be without! With that said, Jazz Guitar Life has asked Jazz Guitarist Tom Guarna what his five would be (assuming that he knew before hand that he was going to be stuck on a desert island and that said island had electricity and a full component stereo system) 🙂
But first…
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1) Jim Hall Live: This recording is a masterclass in Interplay, tone and taste. Jim has such a beautiful sense of melody. Very creative. His comping throughout this recording is wonderful as well. This recording had a huge impact on me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy9qHflKeg8
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2) John Coltrane – Coltrane’s Sound: I love Coltrane’s melodic sense. His ability to play at times, such simple melodic ideas over difficult harmony and vice versa is something that always amazes me. He is a bottomless well of melodic/harmonic ideas. This recording has such a wonderful selection of tunes. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL-NbN8uTOihdspJXv_FAeZHk051LsBo8
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3) Allan Holdsworth – I.O.U.: Allan’s importance to the lineage of guitar is immeasurable. His approach to lines, voicings and tone are so unique. Every tune on this recording is beautiful and interesting. When I first heard this recording I could not believe what I was hearing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTnE0QQHxeA
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4) McCoy Tyner – The Real McCoy: The combination of McCoy with Ron Carter, Elvin Jones and Joe Henderson is just incredible. The energy level is high but very controlled, while the ballads are so heartfelt and introspective. Every tune on the recording is a gem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5Y0sBc3WYE
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5) Thelonious Monk – Criss Cross: I just love the childlike innocence in the playing of Monk, John Ore, Frankie Dunlop and Charlie Rouse on this. Monk’s original compositions have that unique quality of simplicity and complexity at the same time (much like Strayhorn). I love this quality in music. Monk’s musical personality is so strong and unique that when he plays “Tea For Two” and “Don’t Blame Me”, you would think these are his original compositions as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHKxJ9WTvKg
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If you would like to support all the work I do on Jazz Guitar Life, please consider buying me a coffee or visiting the Jazz Guitar Life sponsors. Thank you and your patronage is greatly appreciated regardless if you buy me a coffee or not 🙂
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