A Review on Guitarist Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery

by guitar instructor: Sean Bray

Guitarist Wes Montgomery is in my opinion one of the most natural improvisers on the instrument ever. Self taught and starting at a relatively late age, Wes started playing guitar at the age of 19, he soon became one of the most innovative jazz guitarists around. He immersed himself in recordings of guitarist Charlie Christian (father of electric jazz guitar) and practiced for hours a day. His use of playing octaves and playing with his thumb became a trademark sound for Wes and because of that, he had a unique and personal way of playing. He was born in 1925 and died on June 15, 1968 at the age of 43.

Some Wes recordings to check out are “Full House”, “Movin’ Along”, “So Much Guitar”, “Far Wes”, and one of my favourite live recordings of all time “Smokin” at the Half Note” which featured Trumpeter Miles Davis’ famed rhythm section of pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Originally released in 1965 on Verve Records. Wes’ main guitar was a Gibson L5

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