Stan Tracey (piano) Wes Montgomery (guitar) Rick Laird (bass) Jackie Dougan (drums)
Television broadcast, “Tempo”, ABC TV, London, England, May 7, 1965 (with sheet music)
Wes Montgomery was a jazz guitarist whose natural genius and distinctive sound earned him recognition as one of the most important jazz musicians of the 20th century. Montgomery was born on March 6, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana into a musically inclined family. Although he was given his first instrument as a child, Montgomery’s interest in guitar would not be ignited until he was 19 years old and married. After first hearing records from swing and jazz guitarist Charlie Christian, he bought an affordable guitar and amplifier and taught himself how to play.
Partly in order to lower the volume for neighbors and because he found it awkward to use a pick, he soon adopted his own style of using his right thumb to pluck the strings. Although somewhat unconventional, the softer and deeper tone it produced still serves as one of his trademarks.
Montgomery was hired to play at an Indianapolis club six months after he learned the guitar. He was recruited in 1948 to tour with the Lionel Hampton band, but after two years decided to return home to his wife and children. He developed a local following playing at Indianapolis nightclubs. In 1957 he recorded for the first time with his brothers, Monk and Buddy, who were also professional musicians.
They recorded as the Montgomery Brothers on the Pacific Jazz label. Two years later alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley heard The Montgomery Brothers and persuaded a larger label, Riverside Jazz to record them. The Riverside recordings, The Wes Montgomery Trio (1959) and The Incredible Guitar of Wes Montgomery (1960), launched Montgomery’s international career.
Throughout the early 1960s Montgomery toured with his trio. Beginning with Full House in December 1961, Montgomery released a series of live recordings which emphasized his brilliance as a jazz performer. These recordings also marked the initiation of a more commercial future for the musician, especially after Riverside faced financial difficulties and Montgomery switched to a new label in 1964, Verve, in New York City.
The addition of big band and string orchestra arrangements won Montgomery a Grammy Award in 1965 for his album Goin’ Out of My Head. In 1967, his album A Day in the Life became the best-selling jazz LP of that year as well. Despite the monetary success of his later recordings, Montgomery decided to leave Verve and return home to Indianapolis to work with his brothers. During his flight back on June 16, 1968, Wes Montgomery suffered a heart attack and died in Indianapolis at the age of 43.
Discography
As leader
Release date | Album | Label | Source |
---|---|---|---|
1959 | The Wes Montgomery Trio | Riverside | [1][2] |
1960 | The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery | Riverside | [1][2] |
1960 | Movin’ Along | Riverside | [1][2] |
1961 | So Much Guitar | Riverside | [1][2] |
1962 | Full House | Riverside | [1][2] |
1963 | Fusion! Wes Montgomery with Strings | Riverside | [1][2] |
1963 | Boss Guitar | Riverside | [1][2] |
1963 | Portrait of Wes | Riverside | [1][2] |
1963 | Guitar on the Go | Riverside | [1][2] |
1964 | Movin’ Wes | Verve | [1][2] |
1965 | Bumpin’ | Verve | [1][2] |
1965 | Smokin’ at the Half Note | Verve | [1][2] |
1966 | Goin’ Out of My Head | Verve | [1][2] |
1966 | Tequila | Verve | [1][2] |
1966 | California Dreaming | Verve | [1][2] |
1967 | A Day in the Life | A&M | [1][2] |
1968 | Down Here on the Ground | A&M | [1][2] |
1968 | Road Song | A&M | [1][2] |
1969 | Willow Weep for Me | Verve | [1][2] |
1982 | The Alternative Wes Montgomery | Milestone | [1][2] |
1990 | Far Wes | Capitol | [1][2] |
1996 | Fingerpickin’ | Capitol | [1][2] |
2012 | Echoes of Indiana Avenue | Resonance | [3] |
2015 | In the Beginning | Resonance | [3] |
2016 | One Night in Indy | Resonance | [3] |
2017 | Smokin’ in Seattle | Resonance | [3] |
2017 | In Paris: The Definitive ORTF Recording | Resonance | [3] |
With The Montgomery Brothers
Year | Album | Label |
---|---|---|
1957 | The Montgomery Brothers Plus Five Others | World Pacific |
1958 | Montgomeryland | Pacific Jazz |
1961 | Groove Yard | Riverside |
George Shearing and the Montgomery Brothers | Fantasy | |
The Montgomery Brothers | ||
The Montgomery Brothers in Canada | ||
Love Walked In | Jazzland | |
Wes, Buddy and Monk Montgomery | Pacific Jazz | |
1969 | It’s Never Too Late | Chisa |
Collaborations
- Bags Meets Wes! with Milt Jackson (Riverside, 1962)
- Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo with Jimmy Smith (Verve, 1966)
- Further Adventures of Jimmy and Wes with Jimmy Smith (Verve, 1969)
As sideman
- Kismet, The Mastersounds (World Pacific, 1958)
- A Good Git-Together, Jon Hendricks (World Pacific, 1959)
- Work Song, Nat Adderley (Riverside, 1960)
- West Coast Blues!, Harold Land (Jazzland, 1960)
- Cannonball Adderley and the Poll Winners, Cannonball Adderley (Riverside, 1960)
- Complete Recordings with Lionel Hampton (Definitive, 2002)
Browse in the Library:
Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
---|---|---|
Astor Piazzola Oblivion Guitar Arr. By Nadja Kossinskaja | Piazzola Oblivion Guitar arr. by Nadja Kossinskaja page 1-1 | |
Astor Piazzolla 12 Tangos Piano | ||
Astor Piazzolla 6 Tangos | Astor Piazzolla 6 Tangos | |
Astor Piazzolla Angel (Complete) For Piano (Different Version) | Astor Piazzolla Angel (Complete) For Piano (Different Version) | |
Astor Piazzolla Ave Maria (Piano) | ||
Astor Piazzolla Balada Para Un Loco (Cacho Tirao) Guitar | ||
Astor Piazzolla Maria De Buenos Aires, Opera Tango (Partitura completa) | ||
Astor Piazzolla Milonga Del Angel (Piano Solo) Arranged By Prof. John Mortensen Slow Tango | ||
Astor Piazzolla Milonga Del Angel (Piano Solo) Original | ||
Astor Piazzolla sheet music Le Grand Tango Score For Viola And Piano | ||
Astor Piazzolla Vuelvo al sur (piano) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – 5 piezas para guitarra (guitar sheet music) | Astor Piazzolla – 5 piezas para guitarra (guitar sheet music) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Picasso (Tango) Piano | ||
Astor Piazzolla 4 Estaciones Porteñas Guitar arr. | ||
Astor Piazzolla Nightclub 1960 Duo Flute Guitar | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Adios Nonino (Two Pianos) | Astor Piazzolla – Adios Nonino (Two Pianos) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Adiós Nonino (guitar sheet music) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Adios Nonino Piano Solo | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Album No. 1 | Astor Piazzolla album no 1 | |
Astor Piazzolla – Album No. 2 | Astor Piazzolla – Album No. 2 | |
Astor Piazzolla – Album No. 4 | Astor Piazzolla – Album No. 4 | |
Astor Piazzolla – Buenos Aires Hora Cero | Astor Piazzolla – Buenos Aires Hora Cero | |
Astor Piazzolla – Chau Paris (piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Chau Paris (piano) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Complete Works – Obras Para Piano Y Varios Instrumentos (partituras, sheet music) | Astor Piazzolla – Complete Works – Obras Para Piano Y Varios Instrumentos (partituras, sheet music) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Contrastes (Piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Contrastes (Piano) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Coral (Piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Coral (Piano) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Estaciones Porteñas for piano – für Klavier | Astor Piazzolla – Estaciones Portenas fur Klavier | |
Astor Piazzolla – Fuga 9 (Piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Fuga 9 (Piano) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Invierno Porteno (guitar sheet music) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Invierno porteño [clarinet-piano] | ||
Astor Piazzolla – La Muerte Del Angel (Guitar arr. sheet music) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Libertango (Part A – Guitar Arr.) (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Libertango for 2 pianos | Astor Piazzolla – Libertango 2KL | |
Astor Piazzolla – Los pajaros perdidos (canción) piano vocal | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Milonga Del Angel (guitar arr. sheet music) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Milonga del angel (Piano solo) | Astor Piazzolla – Milonga del angel | |
Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion (piano solo ver.) | Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion (piano solo sheet music) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion (piano solo) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion arr. by Najda Kssinskaja (Guitar arr. sheet music with TABs) | Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion arr. by Najda Kssinskaja (Guitar arr. sheet music with TABs) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion Cello & piano | Piazzolla Oblivion cello piano arr. | |
Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion for Piano solo sheet music (partitura) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Onda Nueve (Tango) Piano | Astor Piazzolla – Onda Nueve (Tango) Piano | |
Astor Piazzolla – Otoño Porteño (guitar sheet music) | Astor Piazzolla – Otoño Porteño (guitar sheet music) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Piano SongBook (Angel, Libertango, 6 Tangos, Estaciones Porteñas) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Preludio 9 (Piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Preludio 9 (Piano) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Río Sena (Tango) Piano | Astor Piazzolla – Río Sena (Tango) Piano | |
Astor Piazzolla – Romanza del Duende (Piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Romanza del Duende (Piano) | |
Astor Piazzolla – sheet music – Suite del Angel (Piano) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Soledad (Solitude) Full score sheet music | Astor Piazzolla – Soledad (Solitude) Full score sheet music (first page) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Suite Troileana 2 guitars (Bandoneon, Zita, Whisky, Escolaso) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Suite Troileana 2 guitars arr. Sergio Assad (Bandoneon, Zita, Whisky, Escolaso) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Suite Troileana arr for Piano (Bandoneon, Zita, Whisky, Escolaso) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Tangos for 2 Pianos | Astor Piazzolla – Tangos for 2 Pianos | |
Astor Piazzolla – Tangus Dei (Piano) | ||
Astor Piazzolla – The Last Tango Music Of Guitar arr. | ||
Astor Piazzolla – Tristango (Piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Tristango (Piano) | |
Astor Piazzolla – Vuelvo Al Sur (10 tangos and other pieces arr. piano) | Astor Piazzolla – Vuelvo Al Sur | |
Astor Piazzolla -Four, For Tango – Score | ||
Astor Piazzolla (Spanish Español Ed. 2018 El Ateneo 2020) (María Susana Azzi) Biography Book | ||
Astor Piazzolla (Tango) Balada Para Un Loco – Guitar (letra Horacio Ferrer) | ||
Astor Piazzolla 100 Años Edicion Aniversario Sus mejores obras para piano | Astor Piazzolla 100 Años Edicion Aniversario Sus mejore obras para piano | |
Astor Piazzolla 25 Tangos for Clarinet and piano Clarinet Part in Bb | Astor Piazzolla 25 Tangos for Clarinet and piano Clarinet Part in Bb | |
Astor Piazzolla 28 tangos arranged For Piano | Astor Piazzolla 28 tangos arranged For Piano | |
Astor Piazzolla Album 20 compositions arr. for Piano | Piazzolla album | |
Astor Piazzolla Ave Maria (Piano and voice) | ||
Astor Piazzolla Cinco Piezas For Guitar | ||
Astor Piazzolla Color de Buenos Aires Suite letra Horacio Ferrer | ||
Astor Piazzolla Contrabajeando Double Bass And Piano Contrabajo Y Piano | ||
Astor Piazzolla Extasis Piano (Tango) | ||
Astor Piazzolla Flute or Violin Piano Collection | ||
Astor Piazzolla For Violin And Guitar (Astor Piazzolla) | Astor Piazzolla For Violin And Guitar (Astor Piazzolla)_compressed | |
Astor Piazzolla Guitar compositions Collection (Guitarra) sheet music, partituras | Astor Piazzolla Guitar compositions (Guitarra) sheet music, partituras | |
Astor Piazzolla Horacio Ferrer Chiquilin De Bachin Piano vocal | ||
Astor Piazzolla La Muerte Del Angel Trio Violin Cello Piano Score | ||
Astor Piazzolla Le Grand Tango – Two Pianos | Astor Piazzolla Le Gran Tango – Two Pianos | |
Astor Piazzolla Libertango (Guitar Solo Arr.) With Tab | ||
Astor Piazzolla Milonga Del Àngel (For Chamber Orchestra) Tangos | ||
Astor Piazzolla Oblivion (piano solo) | ||
Astor Piazzolla Oblivion arr. for 2 violins | ||
Astor Piazzolla Oblivion for Violin or Flute Cello Piano | Astor Piazzolla Oblivion for Violin or Flute Cello Piano | |
Astor Piazzolla Oblivion Trans Solo Piano | Astor Piazzolla Oblivion Trans Solo Piano sheet music pdf | |
Astor Piazzolla Oblivion Violin Guitar | ||
Astor Piazzolla Obras Completas Guitarra For Guitar | Astor Piazzolla Obras Completas For Guitar | |
Astor Piazzolla Piano Collection | Astor Piazzolla Piano Collection | |
Astor Piazzolla Piano Meditango | ||
Astor Piazzolla Romance Del Diablo Flauta Violin and Piano | ||
Astor Piazzolla Sensuel Piano | ||
Astor Piazzolla Tangazo for Orchestra Variaciones sobre Buenos Aires para orquestra | ||
Astor Piazzolla Tango Etudes (for flute or Violin) | Astor Piazzolla Tango Etudes (for flute or Violin) | |
Astor Piazzolla Tango S V P For Violin Ensemble Solo | Astor Piazzolla Tango S V P For Violin Ensemble Solo | |
Astor Piazzolla Tangos Arr Phillip Keveren The Phillip Keveren Series Piano Solo | Astor Piazzolla Tangos Arr Phillip Keveren The Phillip Keveren Series Piano Solo | |
Astor Piazzolla Tanti Anni Prima Ave Maria For Piano solo | ||
Astor Piazzolla Tanti Anni Prima Ave Maria Violin and Piano | ||
Astor Piazzolla Vuelvo Al Sur Flute or Violin and Piano | Astor Piazzolla Vuelvo Al Sur Flute or Violin and Piano | |
Astor Piazzolla y Anibal Troilo- Contrabajeando (Tango) Piano | Astor Piazzolla y Anibal Troilo- Contrabajeando (Tango) Piano | |
Atlantic Starr – Always | ||
Atomic Kitten – The Tide Is High | ||
Atomic The Musical By Philip Foxman And Danny Ginges Piano Vocal Score | ||
Atonement – Dario Marianelli (For Piano) | Atonement – Dario Marianelli (For Piano) | |
Au Clair De La Lune – Traditional (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Audioslave Out Of Exile Guitar TABs | Audioslave Out Of Exile Guitar TABs | |
Audition (The Fools who Dream) La La Land OST | ||
Audra Mcdonald Build A Bridge (Songbook) (Audra Mcdonald) Piano Vocal Guitar chords | Audra Mcdonald Build A Bridge (Songbook) (Audra Mcdonald) Piano Vocal Guitar chords | |
Augustana – Boston | ||
Aura Lee (intermediate great jazz arrangement) G. Poulton | Aura Lee Jazz | |
Aura Lee By G. Poulton Jazz Arrangement.mxl | ||
Aura Lee G. Poulton (Easy version ) | Aura Lee Easy version | |
Aura Lee Jazz (Musescore File).mscz | ||
AURORA Conqueror Piano Solo arr. | ||
AURORA Running With The Wolves | ||
Aurora – Cure For Me | ||
AURORA Forgotten Love Piano with lyrics | ||
AURORA Half The World Away Sheet Music Piano Vocal Guitar chords | ||
AURORA Into The Unknown from Disney’s Frozen | ||
AURORA It Happened Quiet Piano Solo arr. | ||
AURORA Runaway Piano Vocal guitar Chords | ||
AURORA Songbook Sheet Music Anthology Collection | AURORA Songbook Sheet Music Anthology Collection | |
AURORA The River Aurora Piano Solo arr. | ||
Automatic Harmonic Analysis of Jazz Chord Progressions Using a Musical Categorial Grammar (Mark Wilding) | Automatic Harmonic | |
Autour Du Jazz Guitar 4 pièces pour guitare (Thierry Tisserand) | Autour Du Jazz Guitar 4 pièces pour guitare (Thierry Tisserand) Contents — autour du jazz |