rhythm.
have a strong rhythmic foundation and vocabulary. you can't play the part if there's no rhythm, you ain't got a thing if you don't have the swing.
then you can focus on harmony and melody. nearly all guitarists spend the majority of their guitar life with just scales, noodles and spaghetti. but if you have a strong innate sense of rhythm, you can play anything over any chord.
and while you are at it, listen, listen, listen... study the styles of the "malalim" players. eat, sleep and [gooey brown stuff] jazz. soon, it'll be part of your system. you may get in an hour, it may take you half your lifetime. but its DAMN worth it
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find a good sensei that can lead you to the path. its just a path. the destination is elusive.