Listening to radio station KCSM a few days ago I heard some great guitar playing from a few players, two who I knew and one I had never heard of but I’m glad I did. The two known cats were Mark Elf and Peter Leitch. Both outstanding Jazz Guitarists who have made Jazz their career of choice and who seem to be doing quite well. If you have never heard of these two before, click on their names and check them out. Mark Elf is a master of self-promotion and should write a book on the subject if he hasn’t already. His latest CD, which I will be reviewing for the next Jazz Guitar Life update in a couple of weeks, “Lift Off” is killer with some scary chops on the title track which is based on the changes to Coltrane’s “Countdown”.

A monster player in his own right, Peter Leitch is the epitome of straight-ahead with a fat, warm tone and chops galore. Ironically, I first heard him when he moved to New York even though he was living in Montreal for years in the same neighborhood that I lived in at the time. If you love Jazz Guitar steeped in the tradition then Peter is your cat to check out. He’s also a wonderful photographer and has some photographic samples on his website featuring some recognizable Guitarists.

The last guy I heard who I didn’t know was a cat named Keith Ganz. The tune I heard was off vocalist Kate McGarry’s newest CD. His tone was superb and his note choices and lines really worked to make the tune a joy to listen to. That’s one reason why I enjoy listening to singer’s tunes because when there is a guitar solo, it is usually so concentrated that only the good stuff comes out. You have one, maybe two choruses to make your musical statement so it better be stated clearly and succinctly. He’s definitely someone I want to get to know musically and I hope to hear his solo recordings one day soon.

Listening to the radio is a great way to discover or rediscover artists that may be laying at the bottom of your CD or album stand. I hear so many wonderful Guitarists every day that I have no fear that this music we love so much will disappear.