Jean Luc Ponty.

[edgewound]

Spotify...free version...has allowed me to rediscover some artists I have on vinyl from the 80s in storage not on CD. Jean Luc Ponty is one such artist. The musicianship is incredible. Much new discovery of songs from other artists I never new existed. Every genre` in high quality audio. Awesome.

Another recommendation I might offer is wireless earbuds from Jabra. Elite 85t is what I'm using. Pairs with two devices. Studio monitor quality audio. Amazing call quality. Check it out.

 

[Sam Sherry]

His albums as a leader were very popular when I was a kid, but IMO his side-player work was even better. He was a featured voice in the final version of Mahavishnu Orchestra and took a rare and exceptional acoustic spin on Chick Corea's My Spanish Heart:

 

[lager86]

Enigmatic Ocean, worth it for Holdsworth alone!

 

[John H]

"Aurora" and "Imaginary Voyage" feature some fine work by Daryl Steurmer (later of Genesis). As @lager86 wrote, with "Enigmatic Ocean" you get Allan Holdsworth added to the mix. I saw Ponty, on the "Voyage" tour and he was phenomenal.

Don't forget his work with Frank Zappa!

 

[Snottyboy]

"Aurora" and "Imaginary Voyage" feature some fine work by Daryl Steurmer (later of Genesis). As @lager86 wrote, with "Enigmatic Ocean" you get Allan Holdsworth added to the mix. I saw Ponty, on the "Voyage" tour and he was phenomenal.

Don't forget his work with Frank Zappa!

My favorite period. Live is good, too.

 

[beckstriad]

Enigmatic Ocean was my first Ponty foray, and I loved it. That album and Bill Bruford's 'One of a Kind' sealed the deal on me loving Holdsworth's playing.

 

[BadHat]

This is one of my favorite things on youTube:

 

[Slideman]

Enigmatic Ocean, worth it for Holdsworth alone!

....and Darrell Stuermer of Genesis fame - plays some great lead guitar as well.

 

[yfeefy]

I really like his compositions, and the execution on the albums is amazing. the holdsworth solos on enigmatic ocean are brilliant... I always loved this pretty song from cosmic messenger. on this upload you can hear the needle hitting the record at the beginning haha ... i bet holdsworth would have liked to jam over this odd-time constantly key-changing verse...

 

[Dik Ellis]

Mr. Ponty famously said "Jazz and Rock will never meet." Then he played with Frank Zappa. I got to see him perform with John McLaughlin and Gayle Moran. Great show!

 

[s2y]

I also came here to mention Enigmatic Ocean. That's the kind of album that makes you simultaneously want to practice more and throw all your gear in a river.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Saw him with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, great show.

 

[edgewound]

This is one of my favorite things on youTube:

Wow. Such soul stirring playing. Thanks for that !!