Having played electric guitar in various local jazz bands over the past 3 or so years, I've learned that the guitar is a vital part of the band, and even more so if there is also a piano in the band. When there is a singer, the louder instruments like the brasses (usually) don't play over the verses - those chords are covered by none other than the guitarist(s). When the whole band is playing it's often harder to hear the guitar as the music usually calls for a richer, bass-heavy tone. The guitar is just a background instrument, filling out chords and notes that other instruments (besides the piano) can't play. Sometimes the guitar has a solo too.
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