Looking for Jazz emsembles with a guitar flair

i have to second a vote for Django Reinhardt and if you want a real treat find a record with Stephan Grapelli playing with him on violin. Grapelli kills.

If you want to be amazed at what one man and 7 strings can accomplish check out Charlie Hunter. More fusiony than you may want but worth a try.

I also agree regarding Dhango, the only problem is it's near impossible to find anything hi-fi, it's all that 40's recording quality. There are a number of Django desciples though, some who emulate him closely. Philip Catherine is one who does not. Bireli Lagrene does.

i have two concord jazz guitar records. The first one is the from like 1972-73 and features herb ellis, joe pass and ray brown. I think this is a fantastic recording. the interplay between the atrists is exquisite and the arrangements are wonderful.

the second is a compilation, also from concord, featuring charlie byrd, herb ellis and bernie kessel, titled the great guitars, which i do not like nearly as much but i think just reflects how great i think the other recording is.

I know what you mean about Methany beig confectionary

Peterson's discs - Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival, and The Good Life

they feature not only Joe Pass but Niels Henning Ormsted Pederson (NHOP) a phenom dutch bassist who sadly passed away last year

anything by this trio or with Ray Brown is stellar

TOm

Pat Metheny or Al di meola. I wouldn't call this mainstream jazz more like fusion. Each has been rock solid for over 30 years. Metheny being sugar coated is one of the funniest statements on this forum. Try his earlier albums. {New Chataqua}