Stanley Jordan

Gimmicky but always compelling, Jordan's memorable 'tapping' technique – turning an evenly tuned six-string guitar into a kind of piano – has made Jordan one of the great guitar mavericks. He made a huge impact when he burst onto the scene in 1985 but has been somewhat illusive since, though he's now back on form with new album 'Friends' that tackles everything from Coltrane's 'Giant Steps' to Bartok's 'Romantic Intermezzo' with dazzling results.