Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow and Charlie Byrd exemplify the breadth of American jazz. These elder statesmen of the instrument have well over a century of combined knowledge and experience, and their styles cover a vast spectrum of the music, from straight ahead swing, to be-bop, bossa-nova and beyond.

Herb Ellis established an impeccable standard for swinging, mainstream jazz guitar through his extensive work in concert and on record with numerousgreat jazz instrumentalists including Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Harry Edison and singer, Ella Fitzgerald. Tal Farlow's nimble and innovative playing with The Red Norvo Trio is considered pure genius, and few guitarists have matched his unusual dexterity and sense of harmony. Charlie Byrd pioneered the use of the classical guitar in jazz and introduced America to the beauty of Brazilian bossa-nova.

The thread that binds these radically different players is their debt to Charlie Christian, the first electric jazz guitarist who inspired their lifelong dedication to musical excellence. Named as Great Guitars, the playing of this remarkable group is a short course in the history of jazz guitar.

Contents / Song list (please scroll down)

SEVEN COME ELEVEN
GEORGIA (ON MY MIND)
ANGEL EYES
AIR MAIL SPECIAL
BLUE SKIES
DEED I DO
EMBRACEABLE YOU
UNDECIDED
CORCOVADO
COTTONTAIL
SO DANCO SAMBA
THINGS AIN'T LIKE THEY USED TO BE
BERNIE'S TUNE