Wes Montgomery

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John Leslie “Wes” Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. He was born March 6, 1925, in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of a musical family including his brothers Monk (string bass, electric bass) and Buddy (vibraphone, piano). He died of a heart attack on June 15, 1968.

Montgomery is best known for his unconventional technique on the guitar, which uses octaves and block chords to great extent in his solos, and by plucking the string with his right thumb in place of a pick. These techniques, the product of his self-taught method which would have likely been discouraged had he taken formal lessons, resulted in a unique voice on the guitar. The bulk of Montgomery’s recording career as a leader can be characterized in three parts. First, from 1959 to 1963, he recorded in mostly small group settings for the Riverside label. From 1964 through 1966 he was signed to Verve Records where he was recorded with big band and orchestral backing. After Verve, Montgomery seemed to abandon jazz and recorded mostly AM radio friendly instrumental pop, a precursor to smooth jazz. These later sessions were released by A&M Records.

By picking up where pre-bop/swing guitarist Charlie Christian left off, Montgomery is arguably the most influential modern jazz guitarist, many well known guitarists today list him as a major influence, including Pat Martino, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny, and George Benson.

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jazz, jazz guitar, guitar, hard bop, blues
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The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
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EvalCo wrote:
12 days ago

Seen live in `65 ( record of course) it was amazing

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BLASTRONAUT wrote:
November 2009

And J Dilla sampling all their tunes and making an audio fruit smoothie that you'll never forget.

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Kingabiscuito wrote:
October 2009

On tour... in heaven. Elvin Jones on drums and Charles Mingus on bass.

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thebreezeandi wrote:
October 2009

BOSS!

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BOodidarma wrote:
October 2009

the joke's gettin old

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Candlewhack wrote:
September 2009

On tour huh? Thats cool

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Nomadfyllan wrote:
September 2009

Wes is so cool

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kissmylips22 wrote:
September 2009

childhood memories of daddy in basement playing his JAZZZZZZZZ tunes

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Nonsymmetric wrote:
September 2009

Wonderful music.

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AresAndEnyo wrote:
August 2009

The man is a living legend (except he is dead). I heard that he could squash young children into pancakes with the power in his right thumb!! Does anyone know if this is true??

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guitarguru01 wrote:
July 2009

warm tone, flowing lines, smooth octaves.......

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Emapsych wrote:
July 2009

Master Guitar.... God..

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ricardosanTM wrote:
July 2009

All hail!

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sergeeo wrote:
July 2009

He creado un grupo en español para jazzeros, que no encontré nada cuando busqué... ¡Echadle un ojo y apuntaros si os apetece! "http://www.lastfm.es/group/Jazz+[español]"

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deauthorized wrote:
May 2009

Check out Emily Remler's music, like East To Wes. She was heavily influenced by the big guys like Wes Montgomery, but she had a really great style of her own. Really underrated.

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altonpaul wrote:
May 2009

I think I was told once that one of my sister-in-laws dated Wes.

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UsPeaches wrote:
April 2009

The Greatest

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abarefootboy wrote:
April 2009

more chianti please ?

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Sal-ival wrote:
March 2009

outstanding musician!

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Mikseeezz wrote:
February 2009

light, power , tesla, janis , jimi ,

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