Before the guitar, the 4 string tenor Banjo was the rhythm instrument of choice in early 20th century (Jazz) dance bands - because it could easily be heard over the other instruments. This requirement was partly a reflection of the prevailing recording techniques and technologies. However, by the 30's, the banjo had been replaced by the recently pioneered acoustic archtop guitars which were designed to cut through the band. So that, by the time Swing was the dominant form in the late 30's, the archtop guitar was the standard. Of course, by the 40's, amplification was becoming a thing and for the first time, guitarists began to think about the instrument's role as lead not just rhythm. After WWII, the music scene shifted away from big bands in favour of smaller formats (combo) and the guitar's role changed to include more possibilities. By the late 60's, early 70's, Jazz evolved into Fusion, Jazz Rock...and things changed again.
As guitarists, we should understand this evolution of some 100+ years and appreciate the myriad of Jazz-related sub-genres that have emerged in this time.
In regard to the big band format, the guitar usually takes a back seat - what is still called, 'rhythm guitar' which is basically all about support - both rhythmically and depending on the style, harmonic support. Arguably there are four dominant sub genres that we should focus on:
- Early 20th century Jazz: Trad Jazz through to Swing
- Post war Jazz: Bebop
- 1970's onwards: Fusion
- Latin Jazz especially Brazilian and Afro Cuban Jazz