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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
1948-50; 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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BECOME
A MASTER JAZZ GUITARIST!
Learn to play jazz guitar at the highest level
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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
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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
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"Play
What You Hear" author Chris Standring has a brand
new album out on Ultimate Vibe Recordings entitled "Love
& Paragraphs". Standring
puts aside his trusty longtime jazz axe, the archtop Benedetto,
and digs into more earthy blues-rock territory on five tracks
with two Fender Strats. Standring plays the Benedetto on
the balance of the tracks on Love & Paragraphs, which
includes the vocal and horn-enhanced, mid-tempo retro funk
title track, the dreamy, ambient chill meditation “Liquid
Soul”; the hypnotic and jazzy, trip-chill blues jazz
pop jam “Ooh Bop” (highlighted by Standring’s
own irresistible poppy vocals); the bright, rolling jazzy
samba “That’s What I Thought You Said” and
the lush and romantic, synth orchestra-enhanced “Reflection,”
which closes the set in a cool and dramatic film score-like
way. - Jonathan Widran
Preview the album online
here
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Learn
all the melodies and solos on Chris Standring's brand new
smash hit album Love & Paragraphs!
Get the transcription & play along set and download:
Original album track recording in mp3 format * Play along
album track (without solo guitar) in mp3 format * Midi file
of solo guitar part (.mid file) * Lead guitar part music
notation in pdf format * Lead guitar part TAB & music
notation in pdf format * Master rhythm band chart in pdf
format
More info and order here
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