Wes Montgomery
A bare thumb and blazing octaves that redefined jazz guitar
John Leslie Montgomery was born in Indianapolis in 1923, one of several musical brothers, including bassist Monk and pianist and vibraphonist Buddy. He came to the guitar relatively late, around age twenty, after hearing the records of Charlie Christian, and taught himself by memorizing Christian's solos note for note. Because he practiced at night after work, he plucked with the soft side of his thumb to avoid disturbing his family and neighbors, a practical choice that became the basis of his unique sound.
In 1948 he joined Lionel Hampton's band, touring for about two years, driving between cities because of his fear of flying. Back home in Indianapolis he supported a large family by working as a welder and at other day jobs while playing clubs late into the night. His reputation grew among visiting musicians, and in 1959 saxophonist Cannonball Adderley heard him and urged Riverside Records to sign him, leading to his first trio album that year.
The 1960 album The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery lived up to its title, and records such as So Much Guitar, Full House and Boss Guitar made him the most talked-about guitarist in jazz. He briefly played alongside John Coltrane and recorded with his brothers as the Montgomery Brothers. In 1964 he moved to Verve, where Movin' Wes brought orchestral arrangements and wider sales, and the 1965 live sessions with the Wynton Kelly Trio at the Half Note captured his improvising at its peak.
Working with producer Creed Taylor, he increasingly recorded instrumental versions of pop hits. Goin' Out of My Head won a Grammy, and after following Taylor to A&M, A Day in the Life in 1967 became one of the biggest-selling jazz albums of its era. Critics were split between purists and new fans, but his live playing remained fiercely swinging. At the height of this success, in June 1968, he died of a heart attack in Indianapolis at age 45.
The 10 greatest Wes Montgomery solos
- 1Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1960
- 2Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1960
- 3Wes Montgomery and the Wynton Kelly Trio · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1965
- 4Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1962
- 5Wes Montgomery and the Wynton Kelly Trio · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1965
- 6Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1960
- 7Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1960
- 8Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1960
- 9Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1966
- 10Wes Montgomery · solo by Wes Montgomery · 1968
The sound
Wes played without a pick, using the flesh of his thumb for warm, rounded single notes and a mix of down and up strokes for chords. His solos often built in three stages: single-note lines, then melodies doubled in octaves, and finally full block chords, each stage raising the intensity. His octaves became his calling card, delivered with astonishing speed and swing. Rooted in Charlie Christian and bebop but also soulful and bluesy, his phrasing is melodic and relaxed even at fast tempos, and his tone is instantly identifiable.
- Four-string tenor guitar (guitar) His first instrument, on which he began working out Charlie Christian's lines.
- Gibson L-5CES (guitar) The big hollow-body archtop most associated with his classic recordings.
- Gibson Wes Montgomery L-5CES (single pickup) (guitar) Gibson later honored him with a signature model based on his single-pickup preference.
- Clean tube amplifier (amp) Set warm and clean so his thumb attack came through with round, bell-like clarity.
- Bare right-hand thumb (no pick) (effect) Not a device but the heart of his sound, softening every attack into a mellow, vocal tone.
Covers
- Goin' Out of My Head, originally by Little Anthony and the Imperials The Grammy-winning pop crossover that put his octaves on the radio.
- A Day in the Life, originally by The Beatles He turns the Beatles' epic into a mellow, octave-led meditation.
- Eleanor Rigby, originally by The Beatles A brisk, restrained reading that keeps the melody front and center.
- California Dreamin', originally by The Mamas and the Papas The folk-pop hit becomes a smooth vehicle for his warm tone.
- Windy, originally by The Association Light, breezy phrasing that suited the sunshine-pop original.
- Airegin, originally by Sonny Rollins A bebop test piece he tackled at full speed, proving thumb-picking could keep up with the horns.
Timeline
- 1923 Born in Indianapolis, Indiana
- 1943 Takes up guitar after hearing Charlie Christian's records
- 1948 Joins Lionel Hampton's band for about two years
- 1959 Cannonball Adderley's recommendation leads to his Riverside debut
- 1960 Releases The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
- 1962 Records the live album Full House in Berkeley
- 1964 Moves to Verve; Movin' Wes becomes a crossover success
- 1965 Records at the Half Note with the Wynton Kelly Trio and tours Europe
- 1967 A Day in the Life on A&M becomes a best-seller
- 1968 Dies of a heart attack in Indianapolis, aged 45
Facts
- He developed his thumb technique so he could practice quietly at night without disturbing family and neighbors.
- He did not start playing guitar until he was around twenty years old.
- He learned by copying Charlie Christian's recorded solos by ear.
- A fear of flying led him to drive between gigs while touring with Lionel Hampton.
- He worked as a welder while playing club dates at night in Indianapolis.
- His brothers Monk and Buddy Montgomery were also professional jazz musicians.
- He said octave playing initially gave him headaches.
- Goin' Out of My Head won him a Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance by a large group.
- He released more than twenty albums in less than a decade.
- Actor Anthony Montgomery is his grandson.