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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.
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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Verve Jazz Masters 14
Wes Montgomery
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Full House
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California Dreaming
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Impressions
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California Dreaming
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Bumpin' On Sunset
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Tequila
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Caravan
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Shoutbox
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EvalCo wrote:
Seen live in `65 ( record of course) it was amazing
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BLASTRONAUT wrote:
And J Dilla sampling all their tunes and making an audio fruit smoothie that you'll never forget.
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Kingabiscuito wrote:
On tour... in heaven. Elvin Jones on drums and Charles Mingus on bass.
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thebreezeandi wrote:
BOSS!
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BOodidarma wrote:
the joke's gettin old
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Candlewhack wrote:
On tour huh? Thats cool
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Nomadfyllan wrote:
Wes is so cool
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kissmylips22 wrote:
childhood memories of daddy in basement playing his JAZZZZZZZZ tunes
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Nonsymmetric wrote:
Wonderful music.
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AresAndEnyo wrote:
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:
warm tone, flowing lines, smooth octaves.......
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Emapsych wrote:
Master Guitar.... God..
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ricardosanTM wrote:
All hail!
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sergeeo wrote:
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:
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:
I think I was told once that one of my sister-in-laws dated Wes.
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UsPeaches wrote:
The Greatest
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abarefootboy wrote:
more chianti please ?
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Sal-ival wrote:
outstanding musician!
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Mikseeezz wrote:
light, power , tesla, janis , jimi ,
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Recent Activity
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enniskillen6, santafesqueedun, hmadere and 6 other people added Wes Montgomery to their libraries. 12 hours ago
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wolfman81 tagged Wes Montgomery with guitar and jazz. Friday evening
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wolfman81, solarliving and felipeffc added Wes Montgomery to their libraries. Friday evening
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dersteppenwolf wrote about Wes Montgomery in Last.FM Milestones. Friday afternoon
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dersteppenwolf wrote about Wes Montgomery in Last.FM Milestones. Friday afternoon
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radio07w and chaffad added Wes Montgomery to their libraries. Friday morning
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kevinmt tagged Wes Montgomery with blues, jazz and guitar. Thursday evening
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7ulian tagged Wes Montgomery with ‘jazz’. Thursday afternoon
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daguvna612, diz52nd, tesserfelix and 6 other people added Wes Montgomery to their libraries. Thursday morning
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DogukanT wrote about Wes Montgomery in Another year... Holy Crap. Wednesday afternoon
Related Journals
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Last.FM Milestones
by dersteppenwolf |
1 Jan 2010 | Add comment
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Last.FM Milestones
by dersteppenwolf |
1 Jan 2010 | Add comment
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Another year... Holy Crap
by DogukanT |
30 Dec 2009 | Add comment
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