Wes Montgomery
Wes Montgomery was one of the great jazz guitarists, a natural extension of Charlie Christian, whose appealing use of octaves became influential and his trademark. He achieved great commercial success during his last few years, only to die prematurely.
It had taken Wes a long time to become an overnight success. He started to teach himself guitar in 1943 (using his thumb rather than a pick) and toured with Lionel Hampton during 1948-1950; he can be heard on a few broadcasts from the period. But then Montgomery returned to Indianapolis, where he was in obscurity during much of the 1950s, working a day job and playing at clubs most nights. He recorded with his brothers vibraphonist Buddy and electric bassist Monk during 1957-1959 and made his first Riverside album (1959) in a trio with organist Melvin Rhyne. In 1960 the release of his album The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery made him famous in the jazz world. Other than a brief time playing with the John Coltrane Sextet (which also included Eric Dolphy) later in the year, Wes would be a leader for the rest of his life.
Montgomery's recordings can be easily divided into three periods. His Riverside dates (1959-1963) are his most spontaneous jazz outings, small-group sessions with such sidemen as Tommy Flanagan, James Clay, Victor Feldman, Hank Jones, Johnny Griffin, and Mel Rhyne. The one exception was the ironically titled Fusion!, a ballad date with a string section. All of the Riverside recordings have been reissued in a massive 12-CD box set. With the collapse of Riverside, Montgomery moved over to Verve, where during 1964-1966 he recorded an interesting series of mostly orchestral dates with arranger Don Sebesky and producer Creed Taylor. These records were generally a good balance between jazz and accessibility, even if the best performances were small-group outings with either the Wynton Kelly Trio or Jimmy Smith.
In 1967 Wes signed with Creed Taylor at A&M and during 1967-1968 he recorded three best-selling albums that found him merely stating simple pop melodies while backed by strings and woodwinds. His jazz fans were upset, but Montgomery's albums were played on AM radio during the period. He helped introduce listeners to jazz, and his live performances were as freewheeling as his earlier Riverside dates. Unfortunately at the height of his success, he died of a heart attack. However, Montgomery's influence is still felt on many young guitarists.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Similar artists
-
Plays The Hits: Great Songs/Great Performances
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on 20 Apr 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Talkin' Verve: Roots Of Acid Jazz
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on 16 Jan 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Groove Yard (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Icon Jazz Series on 4 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best of Wes Montgomery
Jazz - Released by Black Sheep Music on 9 May 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Movin´ Along (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Icon Jazz Series on 4 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Wes Montgomery Trio
Jazz - Released by Riverside on 30 Apr 2011
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
S.O.S. (Take 1 / Alternate Version / Live At Tsubo / 1962)
Jazz - Released by Craft Recordings on 20 Oct 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Wes Montgomery Trio - A Dynamic New Sound: Guitar Organ Drums (Expanded Edition)
Jazz - Released by Riverside on 1 Jan 1959
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Further Adventures Of Jimmy And Wes
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on 1 Jan 1969
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wes Montgomery Plays For Lovers
Jazz - Released by Riverside on 1 Jan 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Impressions: The Verve Jazz Sides
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on 18 Apr 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Verve Jazz Masters 14: Wes Montgomery
Jazz - Released by Verve on 1 Jan 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Incredible Jazz Guitar
Jazz - Released by Riverside on 1 Jan 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Full House (Live / Keepnews Collection)
Jazz - Released by Riverside on 1 Jan 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Incredible Jazz Guitar
Jazz - Released by Riverside on 1 Jan 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Incredible Jazz Guitar (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Fantasy Records on 1 Jan 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Of Wes Montgomery
Pop - Released by Fantasy Records on 1 Jan 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
So Much Guitar! [Original Jazz Classics Remasters]
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on 1 Jan 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Back on Indiana Avenue: The Carroll DeCamp Recordings
Jazz - Released by Resonance Records on 13 Apr 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face (Live At Tsubo / 1962)
Jazz - Released by Craft Recordings on 14 Sep 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo