The name Barry Greene might not be immediately recognizable by a majority of guitar fans yet he’s just released one of the finest instrumental jazz albums of the year. Backed by an alternating quintet and organ trio, Giants finds the Northern Florida based musician and guitar educator stretching out on a well-tempered, 10-track 68 minute album.

Having already released several albums and a range of jazz-guitar study books, Giants is Greene’s 2026 release for Seattle-based Origin Records. Musically and from a studio standpoint, Giants features the guitarist in the company of some top musicians, including album producer / drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., David Kikoski (piano), Steve Nelson (vibes), Marco Panascia (bass) and B-3 organist Pat Bianchi—the latter appearing on four tracks here.

Rotating the players throughout the Giants set, from the quintet to the trio, Barry Greene keeps the sound fresh and on its toes. Musically, as the name portends, the music was composed by a range of guitar icons, with one Greene original included. The tracks are lesser known, yet in Greene’s hand the music and performance is captivating to say the least.

Covers of classics by giants like Pat Metheny, Grant Green, Pat Martino and Wes Montgomery, play smooth as silk by Greene and his musical accomplices. Excellent fretboard work by Barry Green and superb drumming / production by Ulysses Owens Jr. keeps these gifted players on their toes. A jazz guitarist with chops and experience, Barry Greene delivers the goods on the 2026 CD release of Giants.