Record Guide; JAZZ/POP

Remler, Emily: ''Firefly.'' Hank Jones, piano; Bob Maize, bass; Jake Hanna, drums. Concord Jazz CJ162 - Hearing young guitarist-composer Emily Remler, mature beyond her years, one thinks of other youthful players like tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton and cornetist Warren Vache, who are bringing the best of jazz tradition to their playing, and expanding on it - and hopes that more of their breed will pop up on the scene. This is Remler's first album under her own name, and it's a fine one. She's chosen a varied set of jazz tunes and standards as well as two originals, ''The Firefly'' and ''Perk's Blues.'' Emily's style is relaxed, gentle, and swinging, which is not to say that she doesn't play with drive and passion when it's appropriate - she has both the facility and the concept to make the ballads as well as the up-tempo tunes work well. Echoes of Wes Montgomery can be heard in Emily's playing, but she's no carbon copy. Remler infuses these tunes with her own special touch, and always with taste. And she couldn't find herself in more sympathetic company on this date. Hank Jones is playing better than ever these days, and Bob Maize and Jake Hanna keep the rhythm solid and swinging.