Pat Martino is worth checking out for great jazz guitar, love the albums Live, Consciousness and Joyous Lake are fantastic.
Edard Vesala was a European jazz artist, made an amazing album called Lumi.
Joe Harriott is a guy not mentioned often in the free jazz side of things but he did some interesting stuff at a similar time to Ornette in the 60s.

You hit the nail right on the head! Thank you VERY much!

First, I suggest to not listen to Jazz. I don't know how a person could listen to it without going crazy, as all the instruments are clearly playing a different song. But as for blues, I have some expertise...

Jonny Lang is great. He's young, and very few people, if any, will recommend him, so I'll name him first. Another is Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and he's very much like Lang. They both broke out in the 90's. They both released their first albums as young teens.

For classic blues -- Stevie Ray Vaughan. I can't stress that one enough. I honestly can't think of any more examples that are that great. Most of my recommendations would be considered rock, even though they are strongly based in blues, like Fleetwood Mac or Led Zeppelin.

Er... what the hell are you talking about?

Well Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Alberert King, T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Tab Benoit, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Jimi Hendrix just to name a few.

It's called polyphony, and all music has it...

Howdy! Interested in some blues recommendations here. I just finished Keith Richards' "Life" and never realized how much rock is based on 12 bar blues. To be specific, I was unaware enough of the history of rock to even know that there was such a thing as 12 bar blues. I'm not proud.

I would love some recommendations of classic 12 bar blues tracks. Any tips?

Well in the arena of bona fide blues music, it's harder to find songs that aren't based on the 12 bar than ones that are, but for those that are feelin' it, here's a bit of ol' T-bone to smooth over the beginning of the first week of the brand new year. Damn them 11's get straight down to business:

What a great song!! Love me some good blues with some good booze to wash'em down with!!