Jazz / Jazz-Pop
Wes Montgomery - Guitar, Vocals
Amanuel Vardi - Viola
Andy Kman Production Coordination
Bobby Rosengarden Percussion
Creed Taylor Producer
Deodato Arranger, Conductor
Don Sebesky Conductor, Arranger
Emanuel Vardi Viola
Eumir Deodato Conductor, Arranger
Gene Orloff Violin
George Marge Flute, Oboe
George Ricci Cello
Grady Tate Drums
Harry Weinger Reissue Supervisor
Herbie Hancock Piano
Hollis King Art Direction
Hubert Laws Oboe, Flute
Ira Gitler Liner Notes
Isabelle Wong Design
John Synder Digital Remastering
Kevin Reeves Mastering
Mike Mainieri Vibe Master, Vibraphone
Pete Turner Photography, Cover Photo
Raoul Poliakin Violin
Ray Barretto Percussion
Romeo Penque Oboe, Flute
Ron Carter Bass
Rudy Van Gelder Engineer, Digital Remastering
Sam Antupit Design
Wes Montgomery's guitar voice is one of the most distinctive in today's music. On this album Montgomery's talent ranges over a spectrum that encompasses movie themes, an old standard, a bossa nova, contemporary pop, and some of his own soulful originals
A successful pop date. Outstanding guitar, but little else. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
Wes Montgomery
Active Decades: '40s, '50s and '60s
Born: Mar 06, 1925 in Indianapolis, IN
Died: Jun 15, 1968 in Indianapolis, IN
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Hard Bop, Jazz-Pop, Mainstream Jazz, Soul-Jazz
Wes Montgomery was one of the great jazz guitarists, a natural extension of Charlie Christian, whose appealing use of octaves became influential and his trademark. He achieved great commercial success during his last few years, only to die prematurely.
It had taken Wes a long time to become an overnight success. He started to teach himself guitar in 1943 (using his thumb rather than a pick) and toured with Lionel Hampton during 1948-1950; he can be heard on a few broadcasts from the period. But then Montgomery returned to Indianapolis, where he was in obscurity during much of the 1950s, working a day job and playing at clubs most nights. He recorded with his brothers vibraphonist Buddy and electric bassist Monk during 1957-1959 and made his first Riverside album (1959) in a trio with organist Melvin Rhyne. In 1960 the release of his album The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery made him famous in the jazz world. Other than a brief time playing with the John Coltrane Sextet (which also included Eric Dolphy) later in the year, Wes would be a leader for the rest of his life.
Montgomery's recordings can be easily divided into three periods. His Riverside dates (1959-1963) are his most spontaneous jazz outings, small-group sessions with such sidemen as Tommy Flanagan, James Clay, Victor Feldman, Hank Jones, Johnny Griffin, and Mel Rhyne. The one exception was the ironically titled Fusion!, a ballad date with a string section. All of the Riverside recordings have been reissued in a massive 12-CD box set. With the collapse of Riverside, Montgomery moved over to Verve, where during 1964-1966 he recorded an interesting series of mostly orchestral dates with arranger Don Sebesky and producer Creed Taylor. These records were generally a good balance between jazz and accessibility, even if the best performances were small-group outings with either the Wynton Kelly Trio or Jimmy Smith.
In 1967 Wes signed with Creed Taylor at A&M and during 1967-1968 he recorded three best-selling albums that found him merely stating simple pop melodies while backed by strings and woodwinds. His jazz fans were upset, but Montgomery's albums were played on AM radio during the period. He helped introduce listeners to jazz, and his live performances were as freewheeling as his earlier Riverside dates. Unfortunately at the height of his success, he died of a heart attack. However, Montgomery's influence is still felt on many young guitarists.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
