I was wondering who you would list as the very best artists/groups playing today? For me the following really make it:

1. Pat Metheny Group
2. Spyro Gyra
3. Yellowjackets
4. Tribal Tech
5. Pat Martino and Joyous Lake
6. Caribbean Jazz Project
7. Dave Weckl
8. Lee Ritenour
9. John McLaughlin
10. Rippingtons

Honorable mention would go to "5 After 4," "Avenue Blue," "George Benson," and "Chick Corea."

I like all those you mentioned, so I'll add to the list:
Gotta have ONE duplicate, though....
1) Rippingtons
2) Fourplay
3) Peter White
4) Craig Chaquico
5) Rick Braun
6) Acoustic Alchemy
7) Boney James
8) David Sanborn
9) Norman Brown
10) Special EFX

no particular order, other than the Rips (#1!!)

It's really cool to have this board for Discussion, IMO.

Scott

Phil,

O.K....here goes(by the way...check your computer, it accidently transposed the #1 and #2 Best!!!!!!!!)

1)Spyro Gyra
2)Pat Metheny Group
3)Ronnie Montrose
4)Rippingtons
5)Jean Luc Ponty
6)Larry Carlton
7)Lee Ritenour
8)Brian Hughes
9)Carribean Jazz Project
10)Rob Mullins

Gosh this was tough....and I'm sure to look at this list in a month ot two and think of some other who should've made the cut.

One reason Spyro Gyra tops the list is that they've been so darn consistent, and so darn consistently great...and album and tour every year since the late 1970's. Brian Hughes, for me, has the best shot at moving up the list, and this is only on the strength of TWO albums! Ditto for CJP...need more product and tours from them. Pat Metheny Group makes it even though it only puts out a record and tours every three years these days. I like at least 80% of everything they've done.

Peace!
Paul.

Ok, here goes..............

Spyro Gyra
Rippingtons
Fourplay
Vital Information
Dave Weckl Band
Acoustic Alchemy
T-Square [japanese band]
Dotsero
Tower of Power
and...........
Shakatak!!!
How about that list?!?!

This is a fun posting. You have all mentioned some fine artists/groups. I'm just gonna add 10 of my favorites to the fold (my all-time fave is Rippingtons):
1) Keiko Matsui
2) Cheili Minucci (sp?)
3) Richard Elliot
4) 3rd Force
5) Tom Scott
6) Soul Ballet
7) David Benoit
8) Chris Botti
9) Candy Dulfer
10) Hiroshima
***these are in no particular order..just off the top of my head..without perusing my vast collection.

I need to add honorable mention to a couple:
Evan Marks, Marc Antoine, Pat Metheny...I better stop...this could go on for ever.

[This message has been edited by lurchtex (edited 10-07-99).]

Wait a minute, I have more...

Metro w/Chuck Loeb
Common Ground
L.A. Jazz Syndicate
The Braxton Bros.
Steps Ahead
Mezzoforte
The Fantasy Band
Turning Point
Vertu
Dr. Bombay
Urban Knights
Carib. Jazz Proj.
Special EFX
5 after 4
Dotsero
Hiroshima
Kilauea
Pocket Change
Porcupine
East Bounce
Petite Blond
Fattburger
Flim and the BB's
Niacin
Oyate
Alex Acuna and the Unknowns

that's enough for now!!

Peace

1. Pat Metheny
2.Spyro Gyra
3.Yellow Jackets
4.Rippingtons
5.Special Efx
6.Acoustic Alchemy
7.Kilauea
8.3rd force

Wow, this is a fun one!

1. Fourplay
2. Al Jarreau
3. Richard Elliott
4. Gypsy Kings
5. Pat Methaney
6. Spyro Gyra
7. Lee Ritenour
8. Keiko Matsui
9. Rippingtons
10. Bamboo Forest

In no particular order......now...Shannon?......


Linda

1. Ripps
No particular order
Jeff Kashiwa (solo)
Kirk Whalum
Larry Carlton
Warren Hill
Dave Koz
Gregg Karukas
Phillipe Saisse
Nelson Rangell
Special Mention:
Scott Wilke - His debut album "Boundless" is HOT. As some promo material says, he is a "formidable keyboard player".
Sergio Salvatore - anybody heard of him? He's a child prodigy. The studio band for his last album was Chuck Loeb, Steve Gadd, Will Lee, and David Charles. Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer and John Patitucci also played. This kid is big time - the album blew me away.

[This message has been edited by steve (edited 09-22-99).]

OK this looks like fun not to mention a little thought provoking, so here's my top ten:
1. Spyro Gyra
2. Richard Elliot
3. Keiko Matsui
4. Rippingtons
5. Fourplay
6. Boney James
7. Warren Hill
8. Brian Culbertson
9. Rick Braun
10.Joyce Cooling