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Greatest Jazz and Fusion Guitarists

According to fans on Greatest Guitar Player, the top jazz and fusion guitarists right now are Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery and John McLaughlin. The full ranked list of 11 jazz and fusion guitarists is below, updated live from the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index as votes come in.

Jazz and fusion guitar is about harmony, improvisation and swing, from the first amplified single-note soloists to the players who brought rock volume into jazz. These guitarists shaped how the instrument speaks in the language of chords and changes.

  1. 1Django ReinhardtDjango ReinhardtScore 72.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  2. 2Wes MontgomeryWes MontgomeryScore 71.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  3. 3John McLaughlinJohn McLaughlinScore 70.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  4. 4Al Di MeolaAl Di MeolaScore 69.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  5. 5Les PaulLes PaulScore 68.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  6. 6Pat MethenyPat MethenyScore 67.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  7. 7Joe PassJoe PassScore 58.0 · 1 fan voteProfile
  8. 8Charlie ChristianCharlie ChristianScore 67.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  9. 9Allan HoldsworthAllan HoldsworthScore 65.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  10. 10Matteo MancusoMatteo MancusoScore 63.0 · no fan votes yetProfile
  11. 11Larry CarltonLarry CarltonScore 62.0 · no fan votes yetProfile

Disagree with the order? Rate any of these jazz and fusion guitarists on 8 attributes at greatestguitarplayer.com/vote. Every vote moves the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the greatest jazz and fusion guitarist of all time?

On the Greatest Guitar Player Fan Index, Django Reinhardt currently holds the top spot among jazz and fusion guitarists, followed by Wes Montgomery and John McLaughlin. The order updates live as fans vote.

How are these jazz and fusion guitarists ranked?

Fans rate each guitarist from 0 to 10 on eight attributes: innovation, performance, speed, soul, rhythm, lead guitar, songwriting and coolness. The order uses a weighted score that balances each guitarist's average rating with the number of votes, so a single perfect vote cannot jump the line. Guitarists without fan votes yet are placed by an editorial score.

Can I vote for my favorite jazz and fusion guitarist?

Yes. Anyone can rate guitarists at greatestguitarplayer.com/vote, and every vote counts toward both this jazz and fusion list and the overall Greatest Guitar Player rankings.

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