Jerry, I agree wholeheartedly with your choices.


Navigator, I think it's unfair to place
Joe Pass at the top of any list without putting his playing into a context of style. Obviously he's not the greatest bluegrass or classical guitar player in the world. He's not a folk guitarist either.

Why is any guitarist considered to be at the top of his/her field?
Because they have something unique to contribute in their musical style.

Someone might or might not like that style.

Sometimes it takes time to appreciate a great player. Something you hear now might be different for you in the passage of time.

I have to say that I admire many players whose style I don't particularly like such as (for me) Jimmy Page or even Hendrix.
They are nonetheless tops in their field whether I like 'em or not.
Because they are damn fine guitar players. Classical guitar bores me too but Segovia, Bream, Alirio Diaz are some of the finest guitarists in the world.

There is much to be learned from the music that I don't initially care for. Sometimes when I listen long enough, my views change and I can accept what they are saying with more generosity.

Meanwhile, I know as a player that these guitarists are exceptional.

Frank Hamilton