Over a career spanning more than 40 years and nearly 50 albums, John Abercrombie, (December 16, 1944 - August 22, 2017), has established himself as one the masters of jazz guitar. John Abercrombie's tying together of jazz's many threads made him one of the most influential acoustic and electric guitarists of the 1970s and early '80s; his recordings for ECM helped define that label's progressive chamber jazz reputation.

Aside from his solo work he was known for his work with Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker. Abercrombie has recorded principally with the ECM label of Manfred Eicher. He also often explores the parameters of jazz fusion and post bop. He was known for his spare, understated and eclectic style and his work with organ trios. Abercrombie was 1967 graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Abercrombie's style drew upon all manner of contemporary improvised music; his style was essentially jazz-based, but also displayed a more than passing familiarity with forms that ranged from folk and rock to Eastern and Western art musics.