Wes Montgomery, born John Leslie Montgomery on March 6, 1923, in Indianapolis, Indiana, stands among the most influential jazz guitarists in the annals of music. His innovative approach to the instrument, characterized by his distinctive thumb picking technique and the use of octave melodies, has left an indelible mark on musicians across multiple generations. Montgomery began his ascent in the world of jazz relatively late, having first worked in a factory and played guitar as a hobby. His prowess, however, soon eclipsed the confines of a mere pastime, leading him to significant contributions to the hard bop and smooth jazz genres.

Montgomery's career truly took off in the late 1950s and early 1960s when he collaborated with the likes of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, producing classic albums such as "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery" and "Full House." His knack for blending complex harmonies with soulful, melodic solos earned him widespread acclaim. Despite his untimely death from a heart attack on June 15, 1968, at the age of 45, Wes Montgomery's music continues to resonate. Posthumous releases like "Echoes of Indiana Avenue" and "Back on Indiana Avenue: The Carroll DeCamp Recordings" offer a window into the formative stages of his career, while remastered collections such as "The Complete Full House Recordings" and "Smokin’ in Seattle (Live at the Penthouse, 1966)" showcase the mastery of his live performances. Montgomery’s influence is so profound that to this day, budding guitarists study his records in hopes of capturing even a fraction of his impeccable musicality.

Genres

Hard Bop

Jazz

Jazz Guitar

Related Artists

George Benson

Kenny Burrell

Grant Green

Jim Hall

Pat Martino

Joe Pass

Herb Ellis

Tal Farlow

Barney Kessel

Django Reinhardt

John Scofield

Charlie Christian

Latest Release

Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings (Recorded Live at the Half Note)

Wes Montgomery•

Wynton Kelly Trio

Album - 17 Tracks - Released December 1, 2023