John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery (6 March 1923 - 15 June 1968) was an American jazz guitarist and the grandfather of actor Anthony Montgomery.
Montgomery was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. He came from a musical family, in which his brothers, Monk (string bass and electric bass) and Buddy (vibraphone, and piano), were jazz performers. Although he was not skilled at reading music, he could learn complex melodies and riffs by ear. Montgomery started learning guitar at the age of 19, listening to and learning recordings of his idol, the guitarist Charlie Christian. He was known for his ability to play Christian solos note for note and was hired by Lionel Hampton for this ability.
Montgomery is often considered the greatest of modern Jazz guitarists. Following the early work of swing/pre-bop guitarist Charlie Christian and gypsy-jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, Wes arguably put guitar on the map as a bebop or post-bop instrument. Although Johnny Smith was the guitarist in...
Created by dipity on Jan 24, 2008
Last updated: 11/12/09 at 11:31 AM
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Track listing: Movin' Wes -- Part 1Movin' Wes -- Part 2Bumpin' on SunsetGreen PeppersO.G.D. (aka "Road Song")In an OutImpressions13 (aka "Death March")The ThumbBoss CitySunnyMr. WalkerBumpin'Willow Weep for MeNight TrainTequila
Track listing: Goin' Out of My HeadImpressionsMy One and Only LoveBumpin'What the World Needs Now Is LoveThe Shadow of Your SmileCaravanBumpin' on SunsetTwisted BluesOh! You Crazy MoonCon AlmaThe ThumbNo Blues
Track listing: West Coast BluesThe ThumbBorn to Be BlueUnit 7Naptown Blues'Round MidnightSun DownWillow Weep for MeTwisted BluesJames and WesTear It Down
Track listing: Far WesLeilaOld FolksWes' TuneHymn For CarlMontgomeryland FunkStompin' at the SavoyMonk's ShopSummertimeFalling in Love with LoveRenie
Track listing: Full HouseI've Grown Accustomed to Her FaceBlue 'n' BoogieCome Rain or Come Shine (take 2)Come Rain or Come Shine (take 1)S.O.S. (take 3)S.O.S. (take 2)CaribaBorn to Be Blue
Wes Montgomery died in Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County
Track listing: Wind SongGeorgia on My MindThe Other Man's Grass Is Always GreenerDown Here on the GroundUp and at ItGoin' on to DetroitI Say a Litle Prayer for YouWhen I Look in Your EyesKnow It AllThe Fox
Track listing: A Day in the LifeWatch What HappensWhen a Man Loves a WomanCalifornia NightsAngelEleanor RigbyWillow Weep for MeTrust in MeThe JokerWindy
Track listing: California DreamingSun DownOh You Crazy MoonMore, More, AmorWithout YouWinds of BarcelonaSunny (alternate take)SunnyMr. WalkerSouth of the BorderGreen Peppers
Track listing: Tear It DownA Quit ThingCon AlmaThe Shadow of Your SmileMi CosaMustyJust Walkin'My One and Only LoveJust Walkin'Bumpin'Here's That Rainy Day
Track listing: Goin' Out of My HeadOnce I LovedBoss CityChim Chim ChereeNaptown BluesTwisted BluesEnd of a Love AffairIt Was a Very Good YearGolden Earrings
Track listing: CaravanPeopleMovin' Wes (Part I)Moca FlorMatchmaker, MatchmakerMovin' Wes (Part II)Senza fineTheodoraIn and OutBorn to Be BlueWest Coast Blues
Track listing: All the WayPretty Blue (take 2)In the Wee Small Hours of the MorningPrelude to a KissThe Girl Next DoorMy RomanceGod Bless the Child (take 4)Tune Up (take 5)SomewhereBaubles,Bangles and BeadsPretty Blue (take 1)God Bless the Child (take 2)Tune Up (take 2)Tune Up (take 4)
Track listing: The Way You Look Tonight (take 1)DreamsvilleGenoMissile Blues (take 6)For All We KnowFried Pies (take 2)The Way You Look Tonight (take 2)Mi Cosa
Track listing: Born to Be BlueCome Rain or Come Shine (take 1)Fried Pies (take 1)Besame Mucho (take 2)The Way You Look Tonight (take 2)Stairway to the Stars (take 2)Jingles (take 8)Bock to Bock (take 1)Movin' Along (take 1)Tune Up (take 9)Tune Up (take 2)Body and Soul (take 2)
Track listing: Besame MuchoBesame Mucho (Take 2)Dearly BelovedDays of Wine and RosesThe Trick BagCanadian SunsetFried Pies (Take 1)The Breeze and IFor Heaven's SakeFried Pies (take 2)
Track listing: Twisted BluesCotton TailI Wish I KnewI'm Just a Lucky So and SoRepetitionSomethin' Like BagsWhile We're YoungOne for My Baby
Track listing: Movin' AlongTune UpTune Up (take 9)I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With YouSanduBody and SoulBody and Soul (take 2)So Do It!Says You
Track listing: AireginPolka Dots and MoonbeamsWest Coast BluesMr Walker (Renie)Gone With the WindIn Your Own Sweet WayFour On SixD Natural Blues
Track listing: Sound CarrierBud's Beaux ArtsBock to BockBillie's BounceLois AnnAll the Things You AreFinger Pickin'Stranger in ParadiseBaubles, Bangles and BeadsNot Since Nineveh
Wes Montgomery was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County
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