Artists Who Changed Music: Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery is regarded one of the three founding fathers of the jazz guitar, the other two being Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt.

Montgomery changed the world of music with his hitchhiker’s thumb, impossible guitar techniques, and sumptuous musical talent. He recorded 20 albums as a leader, many of them best-sellers, and won many readers’ and critics’ polls, as well as three Grammy Nominations and two Grammy Awards.

Montgomery achieved all this in less than 10 years after his breakthrough at the age of 36, because in another example of the tragically short, meteoric career of many jazz greats, he died in 1968, aged just 45.

Wes Montgomery lived in Indianapolis almost his entire life, and also died there. On the morning of June 15, 1968, he woke up in his house with chest pains, and soon afterwards collapsed of a heart attack. He was pronounced dead at the local hospital at 10:40am.

Wes Montgomery’s spirit has also been kept alive by his recordings, which today include a large amount of posthumous releases. Moreover, a new documentary about him, working title Wes Bound is being made end scheduled for release in 2023.

But most of all Montgomery’s spirit remains alive in the countless players who are influenced by him. Joe Pass once said, “To me, there have been only three real innovators on the guitar—Wes Montgomery, Charlie Christian, and Django Reinhardt.” And the great John Scofield once remarked, “I tried to copy Wes Montgomery, but it was too hard.”

Just a few of the countless jazz guitarists who have referenced Montgomery include George Benson, Martin Taylor, John Etheridge, Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell, Jim Mullen, and Lee Ritenour. The latter released an album called “Wes Bound” in 1993 and called his son Wesley. Montgomery also has been name-checked by rock and blues players like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Satriani, Steve Howe, Joe Bonamassa, and many, many others.

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What other artists do you think changed music? Comment below!

[joepalooka]

I saw a great interview with George Benson where he talks about idolizing Wes Montgomery. George went to see Wes in a club as a young man, and during a break went up to him and asked if he could take some lessons. Wes refused, saying "How can I give you lessons when I'm still learning to play myself?"

[lkbrd]

He's my favorite jazz guitarist, because his playing always sounds like music. Never showing off, never playing for other musicians.. Always music.

[ericashmusic]

I was lucky to be in Ronnie Scott's Night Club in London the night Wes was playing (a few nights there)..(1965 ish) Utterly Brilliant & a bit of a shock to be just a few feet from him, his Guitar & amp. During the interval I went back stage, & found him a very quiet mild & gentle person, softly spoken, open & easy to talk to, and seemed surprised at how I engaged in sensible questions about his technique & cheekily asked him for some tips.. ( A treasure) He explained his simple reasons for playing with his thumb, it allowed him to play later hours without disturbing anyone, and was also a far better sound. He was also using National strings at that time. I had already heard some of his tracks..The rest of the night was fabulous. I later got a copy of "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Mongomery" LP. Again such a lucky chance & All indelible in my memory. Thankyou for a great post.

[AmpasaurusWrecks]

It’s hard to describe the beauty of Wes’ playing…just brilliant.

[jimmymurphy]

You deserve a huge Award for making this outstanding Tribute to the world's Best Jazz Guitarist ever. I Thank You sincerely.

[mahatmaniggandhi]

four on six got me hooked on wes😭 i love his guitar

[leefchapman]

What a legend! Thanks Headmaster Warren for the history lesson.

[blastman]

The day that Wes passed, the Grateful Dead played at the Fillmore East, dedicated their show to him and Garcia and company played until 4 am. It was the best I ever saw them play - and I saw them many times.

[billytuesday]

Wes was a man at ease with a peaceful soul, and that's what you hear in his playing. What a gift he was.

[bobdaniello]

Started listening to Wes when I was in the service. I became enamored with his unusual style and melodies...one of the G.O.A.T.S a wonderful guitarist.

[doughughes]

I first heard Wes in the 60's and was captivated by his sound. My whole life I've been hungry to know more about him and his music, and now you've laid out a feast for us to take in. Thank you so much.

[wowjef]

Thanks so much for this. Wes is my favourite guitarist. First heard him at a party on Melbourne around 1969 when someone stuck one of his records on the turntable. Blew my mind. 53 years later his photo hangs on the wall above my computer. My inspiration

[garyjones]

I fell into Wes Montgomery in the mid 60's and man what a great guitarist he was I was in my teens and Bumpin on Sunset 🌇 was so Sweet 🔥🔥

[backspin]

When the "critics" says "it's not good" I like it. Wes with Strings is great.

[stephanleo]

Wes joined the John Coltrane Quintett (+ Eric Dolphy) in 1961 for one gig at the Monterey Jazz Festival. They played "My Favorite Things", "Naima" and "So What/ Impressions". A review in Downbeat states, that Wes was towering over the others (even Trane himself!) as a soloist! Sadly there are no known recordings though...

[mikomon]

Your scholarship is amazing. This is by far the best presentation I've ever seen. Bravo.

[aggierowe]

My dad who played guitar introduced me to Wes Montgomery’ s “Bumpin’” when I was a teen and I was hooked!

[johnpaulgarrett]

This documentary had me transfixed. I have just started learning guitar at age 62, so i have an interest in hearing things guitar. But the combination of this revoutionary jazz trendsetter's story and the super detail minded, informative, and hypercongenial narrator had me listening from beginning to end and saving the address to send friends to be educated and entertained by everything Wes Montgomery.

[TheMentalblockrock]

I saw a car driving down the A2/M2 in Kent, UK this evening, the number plate was, I kid you not JA55 WES!!!!