Book cover of 'Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar' by Neff Irizarry II with a guitar pick and abstract art background.

Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar

By Neff Irizarry

Endorsed by a dozen world-class guitarists, this is simply the most comprehensive book ever written on Latin jazz guitar playing. It covers the legends of Afro-Cuban music, up through the great contemporary masters! 

If you are a guitarist wanting to learn this beautiful and fascinating music, you owe it to yourself to absorb the tremendous amount of information provided here.

Includes In-depth Study on:

  • Traditional lines from the Tres, cuatro and requinto adapted to the guitar in the style of Arsenio Rodriguez, Yomo Toro, El Güero Gil, etc.

  • Piano adaptations and solutions for the guitar patterned after Bebo Valdes, Clare Fischer, Eddie Palmieri, etc.

  • Step-by-step instruction on how to play guajeos, montunos and other Afro-Cuban styles on guitar

  • Transcription and analysis of key guitarists, composers and arrangers such as George Benson, Chico O’Farrill, Clare Fischer, Stan Appelbaum, Cal Tjader and La Playa sextet

  • Stylistic analysis of highly influential guitarists such as Juanito Marquez, Paul Alicea, Sonny Henry, Edgardo Miranda, Carlos Emilio Morales, Bobby Redfield, Carlos Santana and Steve Khan.

  • Transcriptions and analysis of jazz guitar greats playing Latin music, like Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Attila Zoller, Danny Embrey and Steve Khan. And much more!

Includes a CD download with over 250 audio files of the author playing each exercise.

To further support this method, Neff Irizarry has created over 90 solo transcription, play-along, and instructional videos that expand on the concepts in this book. These in-depth video lessons allow students to see and hear the material demonstrated in real time, offering additional clarity on phrasing, articulation, rhythmic nuance, etc. 

Together with the second volume, comprehensive audio downloads, and almost 200 total instructional videos, Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar offers a complete package for learning and then mastering Latin jazz guitar. 

Spiral-bound, 196 pages, Table of Contents.

Sample Pages & Tracks:  

Now available in a digital edition that includes Tablature, as well as standard notation!

New! Edición en español — ¡Ya disponible como descarga en PDF! 

Endorsements:

“This is a great and much needed work for all guitarists interested in improving their ability to function in the ‘Salsa’ setting. We have great books on guitar voicings and improv over changes, and great books for Latin jazz pianists, but now we have Neff's book that fills the gap. I'm learning so much and can hardly wait for Vol. II”
— Randy Vincent

“A fantastic book! Without question, Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar will become the principal resource for the place and role of the guitar in Latin Jazz for the present, and well beyond into the future. The guitarists of today should have this book, and then GET TO WORK and start making great Latin Jazz recordings using all of the glorious rhythms and sounds of Latin percussion!”
— Steve Khan

“A beautifully written book. A real treasure of detailed information. Guitarists interested in learning the various rhythms and comping techniques in both contemporary and traditional Latin music will find this book to be indispensable.”
— Ray Obiedo
Format: Print
Edition: Standard
$28.00
All Books Spiral-Bound to Lay Flat on Any Music Stand
Instant Digital Downloads
Primary Instrument: Guitar
Primary Instrument: Guitar

“Thoroughly researched and backed by vivid examples from its most important practitioners, this much needed study provides significant insight into the evolutionary role of the guitar in Latin Jazz. An authoritative guide for any guitarist wishing to incorporate the elements of Afro-Cuban music to his playing!”
— Richie Zellon

“Neff has filled an important void in Latin jazz guitar by compiling a mammoth wealth of information in a very organized manner, paving an easy journey for guitarists looking to expand their knowledge of Latin music and its intricacies. You have an incredible resource in your hands. A very important contribution to the whole jazz guitar community.”
— Jorge Laboy

“This work will make a significant contribution to the field of guitar study for generations to come. If you're interested in contemporary jazz, world music and the vast dimensions of authentic Latin guitar styles, this is the book for you!”
— Rick Peckham, Guitar Professor, Berklee College of Music

“Ay Caramba! What a delicious collection of Latin Jazz possibilities for the guitar! Neff Irizarry has built a book richly filled with great sounding essentials and then portrayed in context by the Latin Jazz masters. Beautiful sounding grooves: clave, tumbao, cuatro, and requinto come alive in examples drawn from Neff's own compositions as well as from the standard repertoire. The play-along tracks are inspiring as well as his technical suggestions: including how to hook up with the pianist, always a tricky subject!”
— Jon Damian, Professor Emeritus, Berklee College of Music

“Irizarry has done an incredible job of creating a full suite of learning resources: notation (traditional notation, jazz lead sheets, guitar fingering, and rhythm charts), reference recordings, example pieces, video tutorials, and play-along compositions. It's really amazing to see how many resources have been meticulously researched, created, and crafted together in this book. The book is a worthwhile addition to any guitarist's library, and a requisite addition to any guitarist looking to play latin jazz.”
— The Guitar Journal

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