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Wes MontgomeryWes 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 1948-50; 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 1957-59 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 (1959-63)
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 1964-66 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 1967-68 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 Wes Montgomery's
influence is still felt on many young guitarists.
Visit
the official Wes Montgomery website here |
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 | Wes
Montgomery: Best Of Wes Montgomery (A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Of His Guitar Styles And Techniques) Performed by Wes Montgomery. For guitar.
Includes instructional book (song excerpts only) and examples CD. With guitar
tablature, standard notation, chord names, guitar notation legend, instructional
text, performance notes and introductory text. Jazz and Instructional. Series:
Hal Leonard Signature Licks. 103 pages. 9x12 inches. Published by Hal Leonard.
See
more info... | |
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The
incredible Jazz guitar Of Wes Montgomery - This 1960 record solidified
Montgomery's reputation as the most important jazz guitarist to emerge since Charlie
Christian in the 1930s. His two most-distinguishing traits---the mellow thumb-picking
approach and the soft and round use of octaves--are in full bloom here. Montgomery
tackles two standards, one tune each from Sonny Rollins and Dave Brubeck, plus
four originals, including the classics "West Coast Blues" and "Four
on Six." His solos are remarkably fluid and melodic while still capturing
the essence of the blues idiom. He achieves a near-perfect balance of technique
and emotion. On "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," his approach is unhurried
and delicate; on the original "Mr. Walker," he produces lengthy, bop-inspired
runs without ever losing control. Tommy Flanagan's gracefully understated piano
proves a perfect match. Rather than compete with horn players and their styles,
Montgomery relished the distinct and unique qualities of the guitar. Order
here from Amazon.com |
The
Complete Riverside Recordings - Guitarist Wes Montgomery recorded
for Riverside from 1959 to 1963, going in that time from an obscure Indianapolis
musician to the most celebrated guitarist in jazz. All the reasons for that rise
are here, in a 12-CD box that includes 49 previously unreleased and alternate
takes. The settings range from the organ trios with which Montgomery often worked
to tracks with string accompaniment, but the music is all linked by the guitarist's
highly original approach, using thumb picking and frequent octave runs to put
his signature on blues, ballads, and bop tunes. Among the gems are live recordings
of a quintet that includes the accelerated tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin and
bassist Paul Chambers, as well as the studio recordings where Montgomery matches
talents with Milt Jackson and the fine pianists Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones.
-- Stuart Broomer Order
here from Amazon.com |
"Play
What You Hear" author Chris Standring has a brand new album out on Ultimate
Vibe Recordings entitled "Blue Bolero". "With
his sixth CD, Blue Bolero, Standring returns with a left-turning musical project
so daring in its scope but still so true to his sound that it is destined to be
one of the year's most-discussed projects, while certainly sure to be remembered
in years to come as a highlight of the guitarist's works. He's taking a chance
with Blue Bolero, but it's one his fans will certainly embrace as they follow
Standring's ever-evolving career. - Brian Soergel, Jazz Times Listen
to & purchase Blue Bolero
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