Oscar Aleman (1909-1980) is one of the most underrated names in the history of jazz guitar. Born in Argentina, Aleman was a professional player since his teens and, after four years of touring through South America, he came to Europe with tap dancer Harry Flaming. Then, in 1932, he settled in Paris as guitarist for Josephine Baker. At that time the artistry of Aleman was so impressive that Duke Ellington, while touring Europe in 1933, asked him to join his orchestra. Unfortunately for jazz guitar history, Josephine Baker refused to let him go. Beside that, Aleman had the bad luck to share the Parisian jazz guitar scene with the rising star of Django Reinhardt and the fame of the Manouche always put Aleman in a undeserved 'second place' position. The two were good friends and had great mutual admiration but never recorded together. Really, Aleman was even preferred to Django by someone, like famous jazz critic Leonard Feather who in 1939 wrote " ... his tone, phrasing, swing and attack are so grand that if anyone ever mentions Django Reinhardt to me again, I shall stare coldly... Aleman has more swing than any other guitarist on the Continent." Here, (continuing the 'guitar solo' spots by Django and McDonough) we can hear Aleman 'solo' in 1938. The totally personal approach is very clear form the first bars: Aleman uses a fingerstyle technique (with thumbpick) and shows a top level virtuosity which expresses a world in its own, a unique blend of American(s) and European flavours. If you don't know his records, get some of them and you'll not regret it.
(For more info about Aleman check the great blog: http://oscar-aleman.blogspot.com/)