From 1900 to the 1950s, the guitar played a fundamental role in shaping the harmonies and structure of jazz. Essential for the jazz enthusiast, this book provides detailed analysis of the individual playing styles and interpretative techniques of some of the leading jazz guitarists of their day, among them Eddie Durham, Lonnie Johnson, George Van Eps, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian and Les Paul, complete with transcriptions of some of their most important recordings. Compiled and written by Ivor Mairants, who personally selected and transcribed the music. Mairants was himself one of the most innovative and active jazz guitarists of the 20th century. A contemporary of Les Paul and Django Reinhardt, his personal anecdotes and insight make this a truly unique work. 168 p.