Eddie Lang (1902-1933), born Salvatore Massaro in Philadelphia, is widely regarded as the father of jazz guitar for establishing the instrument as a solo and lead voice at a time when the banjo still ruled the rhythm section. He cut pioneering solo showcases, recorded landmark guitar duets with bluesman Lonnie Johnson, and became the favored accompanist of singers like Bing Crosby before his death at thirty from a botched tonsillectomy. His single-string melodies and sophisticated chords set the template every jazz guitarist who followed would draw on.

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1927

April KissesEddie Lang