Jazz Guitarist - 1900s To 1920s

1900s To 1920s

The history of the guitar in jazz is rooted in the great blues singers who accompanied themselves on the acoustic guitar, such as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Arthur Blake, Big Bill Broonzy and Huddy "Leadbelly" Ledbetter. The banjo, because of its loud volume, was an early stringed accompaniment instrument in jazz in New Orleans and Dixieland music. Banjoists such as Johnny St. Cyr (1890–1966) and Bud Scott (1890–1949) also played guitar in jazz bands of the 1910s-1920s. Early jazz guitarists included Eddie Lang (1902–1933), Nick Lucas (1897–1982), Lonnie Johnson (1889–1970) and Snoozer Quinn (1906–1952).