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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMONTGOMERY, Wes(b John Leslie Montgomery, 6 March 1925, Indianapolis IN; d 15 June 1968 of heart attack). One of the most influential guitarists of all time. Self-taught as a teenager; worked with Lionel Hampton 1948-50, worked day jobs and played in Indianapolis clubs, recorded from '57 with brothers Monk (William, bassist; b 10 October 1921; d 20 May 1982), Buddy (Charles, on vibes; b 30 January 1930; d 14 May 2009), first as the Mastersounds, then as the Montgomery Brothers. Worked with organ trio '58-9, with John Coltrane Sextet at Monterey Festival '60, played and recorded with Wynton Kelly Trio '62-6, made commercial big-band albums mid-'60s, signed with A&M, appeared with Herb Alpert on TV. He had begun influenced by the rhythmic style of Charlie Christian, added unison chords, etc and had an unusually mellow sound due partly to picking with his thumb rather than a plectrum. Jazz fans and critics professed displeasure with his commercial work, but by then he was so influential, and like Charlie Parker had so many imitators, that jazz guitar had begun to sound hackneyed anyway, which as in Parker's case was not the originator's fault. Best LPs are from Fantasy/Riverside/Milestone group: Movin', The Alternative, While We're Young, Pretty Blue, Groove Brothers (with brothers), Trio, Yesterdays, Portrait Of Wes, The Incredible Jazz Guitar, Encores, Full House (with Kelly, Johnny Griffin, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb), all c'59-63. The Complete Riverside Recordings '93 added up to twelve CDs. Live At Jorgies '61 on VJM is for completists, half a live set with badly skewed balance and half studio tracks '63 with two vocals by Joe Williams. Verve sets included Movin' Wes '64, California Dreaming (18-piece band conducted by Don Sebesky) and Tequila (arranged by Claus Ogerman) both '66, others; A&M LPs included A Day In The Life, Down Here On The Ground, Road Song. |