The Genius of Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery was a jazz guitarist who is widely considered one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time. He is known for his distinctive playing style, which featured a strong, fluid technique and a unique use of octaves. Montgomery's career spanned the 1950s through the 1980s, and he released numerous albums as a leader, many of which are considered jazz classics. He was a pioneer in the use of guitar amplification and was highly influential on later guitarists, both within and outside the jazz genre.
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[@zootmojo]

I once traded fours with Wes, just not in the usual sense. He was appearing on a show called "Jazz" on WGBH-TV in Boston, and I was the stage manager. My job was to give various cues to the "talent." Toward the end of the broadcast (it was live), Wes was taking his last number out, but there was still air time. I held up a cue card that said, say, "Two Minutes." So Wes picked it back up for maybe another chorus, and then again started to take it out. But there was still more time, so I held up the "One Minute" cue card. And so it went until finally we reached "fade to black." My greatest regret in life is that I never learned to play an instrument, but at least I got to trade fours with Wes Montgomery.

[@bananabob2185]

Right place, right time. 👍🏻

[@philsarkol6443]

Thank you for sharing that story. It must have been some experience to see and hear him play upclose.

[@cheneyrobert]

😎😎😎😎

[@douglove2412]

Nice! A priceless moment in life!

[@louischristle5379]

False

[@mongoarts]

Jesus Christ, this man changed the whole trajectory or my life and career after being disabled in an accident. Inspired me to pick up the guitar again after 15 years and by all means saved my life. I’m no longer bound to the bed and have started a Western swing/Jazz/Acid Americana style. Thank the lord and of course Wes and your great videos. Namaste 🙏

[@shjakes]

So glad to know someone else understands that music is food and medicine. Be Well.

[@lionheartmerrill1069]

HALLELUJAH

[@thoyo]

So happy for you! Can you please upload some of your music? I'd love to hear it

[@TheGtk444]

You use the name of Jesus Christ as an expletive and then at the end of your post you “thank the Lord“. WTF?

[@YourTripleScorpio]

The Buddha's in us all?​@@TheGtk444

[@paulcowham2095]

Wes is like a gateway drug into jazz guitar, or jazz generally. His playing is so beautiful and accessible to non jazz heads.

[@jguitar23]

For me he's not just a gateway, but the destination◇

[@teddypantelas]

@@jguitar23 He's the reason I play jazz guitar!

[@lewikono2781]

Same with kenny

[@danacoleman4007]

Well said!!

[@HaniJIsmail]

For me, it was Kenny Burrell. I play a lot of Wes Records during poker nights to my non jazz head friends who will request jazz sometimes and no reaction. I put on Midnight Blue everyones like "oh yeah man this vibe is perfect what is this??"

[@chuckm4540]

Thank you Rick. My mother Barbara was a huge Wes Montgomery fan and she introduced me to him through her albums. She passed away in 2019 and every time I play her Wes albums, it reconnects me to my amazingly cool, hip and loving mom. Barbara would have loved this episode, thank you so much.

[@fredc5812]

As a young metalhead, I first heard of Wes after reading about him in Guitar Player. For some bizarre reason, I went and bought The Incredible Jazz Guitar album, my first jazz record purchase. I'm glad I did, it's a timeless classic and opened many new doors in my playing.

[@davidzamora9973]

Hey I'm a metal head who would like some guidance into Jazz. Its deep waters to learn to swim in 😂 Got any album suggestions?

[@David-mw3sb]

Airigin on that is beyond the beyond! I love the piano solo. Great buy.

[@txicocamotl]

He is not an improviser but an instant composer.

[@robertocrudo1967]

just the same thing Joe Zawinul said once: true improvisation is instant composing

[@daborean]

He remains the most lyrical guitarist to date, and probably forever

[@jameshayden3952]

Quibble

[@mauimarcus]

​@@daboreanyes

[@RhettShull]

Wes is one of those players for me, I remember where I was when I heard him for the first time.

[@stratfanstl]

I can comprehend how someone can play some of those solo melodies on a single-note basis. I CANNOT wrap my head around how accurate one's finger placement has to be to play those kind of melodies as octaves, much less comping chords in the middle of them. Astounding musicianship -- both technically and melodically.

[@antlerking69]

Bumping On Sunset is so freaking cool...

[@domenicgalata1470]

Wes Montgomery and Grant Green were masters and had so much soul and feel in their playing.

[@gitarrenpost]

No guitar player compares to Wes. He is simply THE one. My hero, too.

[@Leehawkeyboy]

His version of Round Midnight is incredible.

[@Brokout]

I always come back to that version, just some of the most tasteful and intriguing jazz every recorded

[@teddypantelas]

Which version are you referring to? The one with the big band? Or the live one the time KZbin with his band? There are other versions of him playing it on vinyl.

[@Brokout]

@@teddypantelas The one I meant was the black and white footage here on KZbin with his quartet, it currently has 6.2m views

[@teddypantelas]

@@Brokout I know the version you're talking about and I do the same thing. It's my Favorite! the one where you first see him as a silhouette int he background then a close up. Unbelievable!

[@Brokout]

@@teddypantelas Yes that’s the one! Absolutely incredible piece of footage, just so jazzy and cool, I can’t get enough!

[@michaelgregory2231]

While many jazz cats had chops, Wes' playing overflowed with soul, feel, swing and a joy of life that poured forth from him like water. So natural and seemingly effortless.

[@ursula3438]

Facts.

[@JuanReyes-ht1bd]

❤Yes. He was “Music”. He didn’t play dissonance just for the sake of dissonance like so many players today.

[@alexlogan124]

Oh Wes had chops for days, transcribing him is a struggle on some songs

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

so well put, Michael! So well put!

[@sirhenners204]

he had chops but he knew, like any truly great musician, when to use them and when to keep his playing simple and to the point. that is what makes any 'good' musician truly good- self control and dynamics.

[@bananabob2185]

I wish my dad had known of you… he was a jazz musician and music lover. You and he speak the same language… because you have that same ear. 💔💔💔🎼🎵🎶

[@2008topshelf]

That camera work in 1965 was stupendous. It should be illegal to show that segment without post credits. Now the session is legend.

[@tspicks4360]

Melody, rhythm, drive, TONE ... it's all there. Nobody did it better than Wes.

[@Mattievoetbal]

Tone!!!

[@EnigmaEuslam]

Tone, Taste, Technique, Soul, Sophistication…he had absolutely everything….that’s timeless. He’d be just as influential if he arrived on the scene TODAY! Nothing need be added or subtracted. His playing is perfect.

[@Rigo009]

not to mention TIME

[@EnigmaEuslam]

@@Rigo009 I feel ashamed for leaving it out!

[@cattleprods911]

Yeah, he’s the epitome of guitar, another Django, etc. Perfect artist in every sense. I can’t get enough.

[@EnigmaEuslam]

@@cattleprods911 I vaguely recall a quote from Joe Pass about Charlie Christian, Django and Wes and how that was about all that you needed to listen to…he’s wasn’t wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the stuff that’s happened on guitar since then but do in NEED anything more than Joe’s prescription to keep me busy for the rest of my life? Nope!

[@samrapheal1828]

"Correctamondo."✔

[@somchaisainara9478]

What strikes me most is that Wes' playing rhythmically is absolutely perfect - it seems he feels, hears plays like a top notch drummer. Absolutely stunning.

[@finoroverato7640]

Wes also had an incredible sense of rhythm. He was so in the pocket and that phrasing!!!It just doesn’t get better than Wes

[@jdbailey442]

The entire Montgomery family was immensely talented. Monk Montgomery was an excellent bassist and played with his thumb . My Dad listened to Wes often when I was a child.

[@stuksy4321]

His grandson is an actor in one of the Star Trek shows, too. (wikied it)

[@ChunkyMonkaayyy]

Monte Montgomery too? Lol, joking but search YT for his Little Wing cover, man I love it!!!

[@Ribbonium]

There was also younger brother Buddy Montgomery, a great pianist and vibraphonist. A few years ago I went to an audiology appointment and the technician working with me turned out to be Buddy Montgomery's daughter, niece of Wes. One of Buddy's most famous tunes was named for and dedicated to her.

[@jdbailey442]

@@Ribbonium Yes and they also had a sister named Ervena who played piano. That is amazing that you met his niece!

[@brentharmonmusicproduction]

@@stuksy4321 Yeah Anthony Montgomery who played Ensign Travis Mayweather and Anthony is musician in his own right too.

[@pnkbiankii]

I’m not a musician, but when I was in high school (mid-1960s), and buying music albums was very expensive for me, out of the dozen albums I owned three of them were Wes Montgomery. So loved.❤️

[@xodiaq]

What I loved about Wes is that his tone cuts through everything without ever having to “raise his voice”. Nothing ever feels shouty about his playing, its dynamic without ever feeling aggressive.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

It's so mellow but so absolutely powerful. I would love to know how "loud" he sounded live. Stevie Ray Vaughan was the same way in the sense that he could play at whisper volume and still sound insanely powerful. Even though he was for sure generally pushing a ton of air. I would love to know who Wes sounded at full volume in the room. I absolutely adore everything about him.

[@David-mw3sb]

Brilliant observation

[@wendeldoubleday8539]

Rick, can’t thank you enough for bringing back to life these seminal guitarists such as Wes. Your appreciation and analysis of these great musicians open new doors for many of us and help us expand our own love of music.

[@boomerdell]

Wes Montgomery is such a rare gem that I sometimes forget what instrument he's playing, and I mean that in the best way possible. My mind isn't sure and doesn't care at all if it's experiencing a horn, keys, voice, and so on. It's so melodic, so beautiful, and so very intriguing that I am always drawn in. It's staggering.

[@Fillmore668]

Wes’ playing has always taken my breath away. It’s always seemed more natural and ‘conversational’ than almost anything else. I’m not a religious person, but for some reason I think of Wes’ playing as “From God’s lips to Wes’ fingers…”

[@markdettra1794]

If you're not against God . . . . you're FOR Him.

[@wesboundmusic]

I find that to be a very appropriate and neat encapsulation of his art, I might have to borrow that expression here and there, @Fillmore668 🙂

[@Daniel-Strain]

I'm the same way. I have no supernatural beliefs, but when I hear Santana playing Soul Sacrifice - those guys in my book are summoning magic, like pulling the divine essence from the earth, up through their bodies, and out into the world. Even with a completely naturalistic view of the world, there are things in music that tap into some kind of underlying order and dynamics in the cosmos and bring it out to be felt. Probably similar experiences that formed the basis of spirituality and religion, even if we all disagree over the implications and interpretations of those experiences.

[@dwarfshortage244]

Great player, but what a load of hippy tosh.

[@vaughnhollund5316]

You're either with Wes or against us

[@troubleondemand7703]

Wes's work with Jimmy Smith is some of my favorite music of all time! Love those two together.

[@markdettra1794]

So agree ! Further Adventures of Jimmy & Wes.

[@madmanmoon4038]

Yes! Fantastic stuff!!

[@georgeross4261]

One aspect of Wes’ albums with Jimmy that Rick didn’t mention… its a master class in comping. His comping behind Jimmy is as amazing in how he develops ideas which complement Jimmy’s playing and groove like crazy!

[@mv9787]

I don’t know how many actually understand Wes’s value as a musician. Same goes for so many great jazz players who are not with us. Chet Baker, Paul Desmond, Dave Brubeck. I would include Sergio Mendez also. He was a jazzanova pioneer. World needs more jazz right now

[@michaelbrickley2443]

Generally, musicians get it more than regular folks but being a “regular” person who hung with musicians I learned a lot about what they liked and why. I also had the ear to appreciate a lot of things that others didn’t get right away. I remember hearing Wes and being transported to a place called Music Heaven. He was one bad cat

[@rfichokeofdestiny]

Sergio Mendez is one of those people who is known by the general public, if they’re known at all, for one crossover pop song that got air play. But his jazz playing is out of this world. George Benson is another one of those people. And you can really hear Wes Montgomery’s influence on him when you listen to his solos (even the extended solos on the pop hits).

[@mv9787]

@@rfichokeofdestiny Yeah I love George Benson and true, you can hear Wes in his playing

[@apro109]

100% on Sergio. Incredibly tasteful comping on every single Brazil '66 tune, always spot on in the way he drives the track with exactly what it needs. Vastly under-appreciated.@@rfichokeofdestiny

[@dionysisdaras1289]

Wes' solo on Besame Mucho is some of the grooviest,tastiest,soulful guitar i've ever heard.A giant of guitar

[@JeffreyBrock58]

When my father passed in 1970 i inhabited his record collection which included probably the entire Wes Montgomery catalog. I have loved his playing my entire life.

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

Awesome

[@David-mw3sb]

Your Dad was cool!

[@DRChevalier]

Wes remains an example of the kind of musician who inspires and causes other musicians to aspire. That he only used his thumb is also quite amazing. I really appreciate that you take the time to make these videos Rick. Your enthusiasm is contagious

[@philipatoz]

Wes is the one who made me first fall in love with jazz guitar - 40 years ago. He's the one that got me to playing with octaves. I can't imagine just how wonderful it would be to have been at a table down front of Wes in a small club. To me Wes, Joe Pass, Django - these are the grandfathers all jazz guitarists greatly owe!

[@L5player]

As a budding guitarist of 17, and determined to quit playing rock and learn jazz, I sat with a fellow HS guitarist in a small club in DC (Bohemian Caverns) on one cold night in 1967, about 15 feet away from the stage and watched this incredible man completely wow the crowd. If memory serves, he began the set with "I Could Write a Book"--a tune I don't think he ever recorded. It was Wes' only visit, as far as I'm aware, to the nation's capital where I lived until a few years ago. Six months after that wonderful night, he was gone. But if I had one day to live over again, I do believe that would be the one.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Charlie Christian belongs on that list to me as well.

[@philipatoz]

@@SimpleManGuitars1973, absolutely, Charlie is another pioneering giant, I should have mentioned! And he was playing amazing stuff no one else could yet do, with lots of single-note runs, imitating horn players. So influential, and yet he didn't live past about 25. Plus he was playing with orchestras using a tiny Gibson amp with one 12-inch speaker.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@philipatoz Yeah he was probably the most important electric player to ever live when you really think about just the concept of the instrument itself. I'm a HUGE Clapton and Jimi fan and all that came after but Charlie put the electric guitar out front and was an absolutel trailblazer for guys like BB and T Bone and all the influence they had. He was basically the archetype.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Being a huge Wes fan since the '80s when I first started buying Wes CD's I don't feel so alone anymore trying to get people to bloody listen to him.

[@chrishibner]

he is singing with his guitar..he takes you on a roller coaster ride without singing a word .

[@Nuker54]

Why is it my foot starts tapping 2 seconds into any song Wes plays?? Love this man. And he doesn’t use a pick but still so accurate and precise. A guitar legend.❤️👍

[@felinekaiju4517]

Wes has so much soul, it oozes out of his fingers. I think the biggest advantage of a pick, is attack. But with jazz, finger picking is has that smoother sound. That's why I also love Ritchie Kotzen, he shreds without a pick, but has awesome bluesy overtones.

[@teddypantelas]

Wes is King! Anytime you put some thing up about Wes you’ve got my attention. you’re right about him being all about melody. Who else can play one chorus on Georgia and make it a perfect solo that you’ll never forget but Wes. With every chorus he starts a new statement and then follows through with that statement and the next course is another new statement that he follows through. This is what always struck me about Wes, the beginning of every chorus He makes a new melody statement to build on. He never runs out of ideas and his single line playing is absolutely unbelievable, perfect, phrasing and speed without a pic using his thumb and going back-and-forth with it instead of just down strokes and hammer ons or pull offs. . Wes is the reason why I am a jazz guitarist . Thank you Wes for all you have given us, which will always live on!

[@spencer_mynatt]

Wes Montgomery is a real guitar player. His phrasing is so good that it sounds composed or preplanned

[@MC-mi4ck]

"The Incredible Jazz guitar of Wes Montgomery" is his best album in my opinion. And it is one of the greatest jazz albums of all time.

[@JBGWAlain]

Wes was truly the greatest of all time. By far my absolute favorite. Everyone talks about his Octave soloing but he was so much more than that. He had an unbelievable sense of time and rhythm. Just try to transcribe any of his solos and you’ll be surprised by how difficult the timing is to get right! Thank-you Rick for the awesome video!

[@danielrosadoguitar]

Forgot to mention ”The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery", an album I will always cherish.

[@ElementsUnknown]

My favorite too, picked it up from the library after reading about him in Guitar Player. It blew me away, there is no one like him.

[@geraldfriend256]

Great album

[@ronbo11]

Yes, that is probably his most accomplished studio album. I know it is always given 5 star reviews in Jazz publications and is one of the core collection albums in the Penguin Jazz Guide. Plus, it's just such an incredible album to listen to any time.

[@louiebee6745]

Yes right up there with Kind Of Blue and A Love Supreme as foundations for any jazz collection.

[@DiegoooTech]

Wes and Jimmy Smith are my favourites in their mood. One of the best guitar and one of the best Hammond and organ player of all time. Thy together are unbeliavable. Top Music. I only miss Joey De Francesco.

[@chrisfournier6144]

Saturday morning and my bones are tired so I was surfing YT as I drank my coffee. I’m grateful to have landed here with you Rick. This tribute to Wes Montgomery is gonna gobble up my days and months coming up!

[@craigward1611]

I don't know Wes Montgomery well but what struck me was how his signal note work sounds like a piano. When playing with a piano I couldn't tell which was which much of the time. Awesome player and Rick's enthusiasm just made it all better.

[@benkatof5852]

Love your features on Wes and Joe Pass. So well explained, and your love of these two masters shines through.

[@RichSpencer-tl6or]

Every instrument is a conversation... amazing

[@soapninja]

Wes was a master of phrasing. Thats what has always stood out to me about his playing. He had amazing tone and an incredible ear, but his ability to improvise complete musical ideas is just unmatched.

[@StevenRoby]

Just on "How Insensitive" alone, I could spend the rest of my life and never understand what he was doing on the guitar. That's the mark of Wes being the legend. To have the ultimate "wow" factor when you are listening, and yet be so melodic and brilliant. I wish he were still around to see live.

[@JavierCerecer]

I was on a family road trip, early 2000s on our way to San Francisco from southern Arizona. Stopped for a coffee, my dad went to a music shop and came out with the Boss Guitar CD on his hands and said to me. “Ok kid, I want to show you something. This is going to be great” - I can’t tell you how many times we played that CD over and over - I’ll cherish that moment and that album for the rest of my life.

[@1019caveman]

Brilliant. it's like I could put my George Benson Jazz albums on and I'm hearing Wes Montgomery. I know it's a bit of a stretch, Rick, but Have you thought about reaching out and doing one of your interviews with George Benson and probably a bigger stretch, Herbie Hancock? Both living legends.

[@sebbo1496]

wes was basically a big band composer. always playing all thse little elements like he's hearing a whole orchestra in his head. that's why his playing is so damn entertaining. never gets stuck on one thing. always complimenting what he just played a second before

[@jonathandorozowsky4005]

Wes's upbeat solos always sound like a celebration to me. Like, "this is party music!"

[@roosterillusion1985]

In my early 20s I started learning jazz guitar for the first time. I learned West Coast Blues, 4 on 6 and Giant Steps as played by Wes Montgomery and it changed my life forever.

[@DF-we4pt]

Rick always spotlighting the true 🔥 I just got back from watching the original and I’m blown away by Wes’ right hand. Almost no alternate picking and almost all thumb. Sounds so angelic. Just goes to show there is no “correct technique”

[@CraftyMusicTips]

There’s something weirdly enjoyable about watching another person that’s enjoying listening to music. In this case, it’s not just anyone… it’s Rick listening to Wes: what a great a great combo! It also dawned on me that every time that Rick makes a critique or an “oh yeah” that it’s in the spaces of the phrasing. This is someone who really knows the ins and outs of the tune intimately.

[@Pladderkasse]

For me Wes ALWAYS outlined the harmony so generously and elegantly. And he had real groove, an innate ability to be in the pocket and sound comfortable there no matter what.

[@davidfleuchaus]

Wes plays like a drummer. Rhythm seems to be his highest priority. The simplest ideas become super cool because of how he plays them. His development of each idea is possible because each idea is simple enough (yet hip enough - most likely due to the rhythmic aspects) to leave room for variations that are cool enough to be interesting due to rhythmic variations. How did I miss this before? I’m gonna listen to Wes through that lens right now.

[@taura101]

Great observation.

[@taura101]

Great observation.

[@gregwasserman2635]

I didn't know anything about Wes Montgomery growing up mainly because I wasn't listening to any jazz guitar. I "discovered" him much later in life and couldn't believe what I was missing.

[@louisgreen3915]

I remember looking through my fathers big record collection and pulled out some Wes. I had no idea what a jazz guitar could possibly sound like. I was into Hendrix & Santana at the time. I got into jazz by hearing my father play Mingus, Miles, Blakey, Coltrane etc, but this was something I could not imagine. It was the Boss Guitar album (Besame Mucho) and the organ and drums comes in realy light & delicately, and then the guitar comes in, realy thick and deep but soooo smooth. I was instantly hooked. Now Wes is simply apart of my musical landscape.

[@tonyperiphoto]

A side note. Wes uses his guitar strap tied to the headstock. He and so many great guitarists play like this to balance the guitar. Yet no guitar makers seem to set up a strap pin for this style of holding the guitar. Ive never seen a photo of wes playing his guitar any other way. I like his 1950s recordings very much, some only recently issued. Wes and Charlie Christian are still the two who make you smile every time you hear them play the guitar.

[@johnmcgrath8886]

About that, I've wondered why he tied it that way and came to think that an L5 if used upright would push up your shoulder too much and also keep the fretboard out of view a little, By tying the strap to the headstock you can push the bottom of the guitar away from you, lowering the height by tilting the guitar and you shoulder is more relaxed and the fingerboard is angled back to you. This only works if you're sitting down.

[@sheptak28]

George Benson describes in an interview how he first saw pictures of Wes with the strap attached to the headstock, before he actually heard him. He figured that only a hick would do something like that. Needless to say, he changed his opinion.

[@BuddyJackstraw]

"The Thumb" he was able to grab and influence so many outside of jazz. "Let me just do my whole solo with octave chords, for Wes."

[@claborn79]

I went through a big Wes Montgomery phase in high school. I started incorporating octave-style riffs and solos into my rock band's repertoire.

[@PierceThirlen2]

I had been playing guitar for about 3 years and I played a gig at my high school in 1972. I played a solo in the middle of Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine" and was using some of Wes Montgomery's techniques, while not even knowing who Wes was at the time. I just picked it up from various jazz tunes I that had heard playing in the background. THAT is influence!

[@danacoleman4007]

Wow! He plays so clean!

[@rjp63vip]

Rick uour enjoyment and appreciation of Wes is beautiful to behold. Wes takes us on a quest of marvel magnificence and magic through the medium of music . Pure genius!

[@laurentmorin1923]

I am very happy to watch this! The Wes Montgomery videos you made 6 years ago are actually how I discovered your channel.

[@1bluetomato]

You make my day. Wes is still here with us. Always imbelievebal, so pure, so much music..

[@HNXMedia]

Giving some of those notes room to breathe. So clean!

[@oldestgamer]

Wes's appeal really stems from his ability to "swing", his playing swings so hard and is joyous to listen to!

[@shkyrbty]

Our father in the late 60s, W KY, spun A Day In the Life. We loved that album. The language of Wes Montgomery has always stuck w me. Full House is a favorite LP. Wes was a one of a kind! Great video, I love when you sing his lines!

[@kookistar]

Wes’ typical syncopation is the most superb in the history of guitar. Ode to the legend of guitar!

[@1rwjwith]

Loved his playing, those octaves always intrigued me. The first Jazz guitarist I really heard, I was 14 when he died.

[@MariUSukulele]

DANKE for introducing this musician extraordinaire!

[@angelolivares8754]

I hate when people say "Wes is one of the greatest JAZZ GUITAR players of all time" he's one of the greatest GUITAR players of all time including acoustic and electric players and all types of genera

[@ernestdenov3599]

I discovered Wes when I was about 15 years old; I bought my mom one of those Creed Taylor albums because she liked Muzak, and that's basically what it was. But... one of the tracks on this particular album was "Caravan" and Wes' solo on it blew my teenage mind! I did think, "if only he used a fuzz tone," but I was an aspiring rock guitar player and that was my undeveloped brain. I started to fall in love with jazz within a year and Wes had much to do with that. Well 50 something years later, I still listen to him fairly frequently. There was something very magical about his playing and he spoiled me; I couldn't get into some of the fine jazz guitar players of the day like Kenny Burrell and Grant Green because they just didn't excite me the way that he did. Legend has it that he started using his thumb instead of a pick because he liked to practice with an amp and the louder volume with a pick kept his wife awake. Fortunately for him, he had a double jointed thumb which made what he did possible and his other 4 fingers just sat on the pickguard. If I had to choose a favorite track of his, it'd be "Gone With the Wind" from the album, "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery." He plays one of his longest solos on it. As was often the case, his solos had three stages, starting with single note lines, then octaves and concluding with chord solos. The chord solo on that one is just mind boggling; I highly recommend checking it out! Sorry; I'm incapable of writing a short post on Wes!

[@moudywaters]

I love Wes Montgomery. I started listening to him in my late teens/early 20s and always thought he was such an amazing player. I wish Charlie Christian would have lived longer. I would have loved to hear them play together.

[@jackwmarsh]

This is an amazing time to be alive, I must admit I never listened to Wes Montgomery but, after this video being able to have his "essentials" streaming from Apple Music, it's just a really cool time to be able to use tech to check things out!

[@TheMountainDemon]

I have loved Wes for much of my life, but watching you react to it, seeing you clearly understand what's happening and the joy you express, brings an enormous smile to my face. So glad you're talking about this legend.

[@chiplarison1914]

The album that really introduced me to Wes’s playing was The Dynamic Duo with Jimmy Smith. I think it’s listed as a Jimmy Smith album. There are some big arrangements by Oliver Nelson on it, but Wes and Jimmy are burnin’. Wes really turned my 18 year old head around.

[@sinkfaze]

Wes was all groove, even with his chords, just amazing. His orchestral albums get a lot of grief, but hearing that cut of 'Con Alma' just gives me chills.

[@jonbirmingham6005]

When I was about 20 in the early 80’s I heard 4 on 6 for the first time and it was a “musical” life changing experience. I realized where Duane Allman got his octaves from ha! Since that time I have been a dedicated fan. As you so rightly said he was the most melodic player on the planet, and IMHO, followed by Joe Pass whom as you stated got it from Wes.

[@rkk578]

YaaaY! Wes Montgomery. The first guitarist I discovered on my own and despite I am a drummer he is definitely a major influence. He could deliver every emotion on the guitar and do it so effortlessly and with such great ideas.

[@JohnHorneGuitar]

Wes was probably my first introduction to jazz. He is so relatable but repeated listenings are always rewarding.

[@amileoj9043]

Superb. Really hoping this gets the massive viewership it deserves because folks who've never had a chance to get hear and get turned onto Wes should not be denied the satisfaction. This is a great short intro.

[@georgesarapa3651]

Wes is my go to whenever I need a dose of jazz guitar, really ANY guitar. I can't play the guitar to save my life, but as a drummer, I appreciate his sense of rhythm and timing and flow. Incredible. Also interesting that you mentioned Joe Pass. I got to share a drink with Mr. Pass when my buddies (both guitarists) and I checked him out at Scullers in Boston back in the early 90s. I honestly had no idea who he was at the time as I was in my early 20s and my only exposure to jazz was through my Dad listening to the Brubeck catalog. None the less, Mr. Pass joined us at our table, we bought him a drink and he shared some of his wisdom. I'm very grateful for that moment.

[@johnrudy9404]

Whenever I TRY to introduce someone to jazz and WM, I use that Holland video. Its production simplicity and virtuosity of musicianship is great. Yes, too young a death. To those who come to understand it, that video is a great Moment in music.

[@paujman]

Ever since seeing Wes being described as a influence of Carlos Santana in a guitar instructional video I was hooked. Just mesmerized cause I had no idea how he made those sounds. In the same video Carlos talked much about Bola Seta and Gbor Szabo. Another couple of insanely talented musicians people may be interested to hear about. All the above inspired me to play among others of course.

[@rohanmillson3182]

How on earth did he manage to create such a soundscape, using just the thumb on his right hand? Incredible...

[@daveowens271]

Wes Montgomery is one of those guys who just seems to be able to reach into the ether and pull out the music that needs to be played. Every note is exactly where it needs to be, right when it needs to be there. Un-freaking-believable.

[@fredericonerkis3804]

No-one I know really gets jazz so it is great to have someone like Rick share this stuff with his enthusiastic delivery. That solo was unbelievably good. Wes Montgomery is a cornerstone of all that represents excellence in music.

[@guitar8617]

In my 30's now but learned jazz guitar in my late teens in college learning mainly through We Montgomery songs. Definitely can say him and Grant Green have been the greatest influences for me as a guitarist through adulthood.

[@torstenreil404]

Rick, thank you for introducing us to artists like Wes. I had heard of him, but never really listened to him until now.

[@getexis8685]

What a wonderful legacy Wes Montgomery left us... A good and deserved tribute to him who left us windows and doors open to an inviting sound house.

[@henkgaas9446]

ah so nice you have a live piece with the Pim Jacobs Trio! He is largely forgotten in the Netherlands but was very famous in his day here.

[@TOCS94]

Please, make a video talking about Michael Hedges and his legacy.

[@EarthAltar]

Not many people know Hedges, but I see a lot of the newer players copping his style nowadays. He really was amazing, and taken way too soon. R.I.P.

[@patriciaadams4171]

Another great class from Beato. I played French horn and studied opera, and Rick perfectly bridges the technical and the popular.

[@tracyo868]

Thank you, Mr. Beato. I had never had the opportunity to listen to Wes Montgomery before watching your youtube on him. I downloaded several of the albums you recommended and have thoroughly enjoyed all them showcasing the talent of Wes. Thank you for starting me on this fantastic musical rabbit hole of jazz. Cheers.

[@petealba707]

I was in college and my ears were growing from the great music my friends were introducing me to when I attended a party where I heard Wes. Smokin' at The Half Note was blasting in the background as people were shouting over each other to talk (how things have changed!). I hunted down the party host to find out what we were listening to. We became lifelong friends and I became a life long Wes fan.

[@muchomusiclibre]

Wes could play blisteringly fast tempo lines with great clarity with his thumb, no pick! Or he could play the softest, sweetest melodies. He really was the most versatile and gifted jazz guitarist, and that's saying a lot.

[@billbernardi7819]

I was always blown away at how Wes played with just his thumbs, plus he was self taught. There's a compilation CD called "Classics" on A&M that featured five unreleased tracks with just a small combo that is great, especially if you get tired of the string heavy Creed Taylor sounds - "Pata Pata", "My Favorite Things", "Hello Young Lovers" among them.

[@actuaryphil]

I probably watch him doing ‘round midnight 5 times a week while trying to get my kid to sleep. Keeps me sane. Worked backward to him starting with Ronnie earl. Best pedal-free guitar tone I’ve ever heard.

[@rich_b.1487]

Rick - Excellent video, sir. One album I would like to add in that you dd not mention is "Movin' Wes", a Creed Taylor record as well. It was the first time I really listened to Wes. I bought it after someone who wrote a magazine article about Wes mentioned it. The opening track is "Caravan", and about minute or so in, the solo hits. By the time the solo was done and the horns kick back in, tears were flowing from my eyes. I cannot recall any guitarist....EVH, Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, Robben Ford, or even Danny Gatton... having such a profound emotional impact upon me. Simply amazing.