Jazz guitarists use a special approach to playing chords, melodies, and improvised solo lines.Over time they have fulfilled the roles of accompanist ("rhythm guitar") and soloist in small and large ensembles and also as an unaccompanied solo instrument. In the 1930s, before amplifiers were widely used, it was difficult for jazz guitarists playing acoustic instruments to be heard over drums, piano or horn sections. As a result, jazz guitarists tended to act as accompanists, strumming chords as part of the rhythm section. Once the first guitar amplifiers were developed in the '30s, electric guitarists were finally able to project their solo sound over a jazz ensemble. Enjoy this collection of the pioneers of jazz guitar starting from the 1920s.

53 tracks