StatsBirth Name: John Leslie Montgomery Born: 6 March 1925 Died: 15 June 1968 Country of origin:  United States Ethnicity: Black / African descent
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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.
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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Frank added this to a list 9 months, 3 weeks ago
 My Favorite Guitar Tones (20 person items)"A clean crisp tone that is not drowning anyone out. Wes Montgomery defined the Jazz guitar tone with his unorthodox sweet tone, that fit right into his heavy chord and octave structure over Wynton Kelly's fast riffing on the piano. I call him Boss Guitar for the band leader he was, but his tone was very amazing.
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Frank added this to a list 12 months ago
 Origins of Guitar - The Original Masters (13 person items)"The Jazz Guitar genius. First time I ever heard Wes, was like listening to Bo Diddley or Jimi Hendrix for the first time. Was just shocked at all the things he did. I always talk about Wes' blend of music. The guitar isn't distorted over the edge, and there is a clean, crisp unorthodox tone to it, that allows the other instruments to drive it, and he's not drowning them out with his amazing solos. Wes often played the guitar as if he was replacing the horns from a full band, a fine example of hi"
 Ever heard this? REAL Underrated Guitar Players (13 person items)"This one may stick out for anyone with an experience in Jazz, but I find Wes Montgomery to be a very under rated guitar player, based on how people overlook the great things he did.
I recommend anyone who has never listened to this guy to go out and buy The Incredible Jazz Guitar or Smokin' At the Half Note. I was totally blown away at his sound, and remember he's picking with his thumb at that high swing tempo speed.
Wes Montgomery took Jazz guitar to a new level, and he's cited as one of the"
Frank added this to a list 1 year, 2 months ago
 Musicians that changed my life (9 person items)"In the world of guitar playing, one man that always stuck out to amaze me as a master in his world was Wes Montgomery. His heavy use of Octaves and his approach to Jazz to master the guitar makes him worth checking out no matter what kind of guitar player you are.
Using a clean unorthodox sound, Montgomery's guitar really does not stick out in songs, as it rather blends everything together perfectly guiding all the other instruments to their work.
Favorite Album - The Incredible Jazz Guitar
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