Wes Montgomery at 26 years old

Live in 1949 with Lionel Hampton. Wes plays at 2:00

[@PolaOpposite]

Wes missed his family so much that he quit Lionel; returned to his family and resumed working in a factory during the day, and playing music at night. That, friends, is the mark of a great musician and a dedicated and loving father.

[@anandapandya1]

And made great music at the Missile club in Indianapolis with a small group, guitar, organ and drums. To me this clip is of historic interest.

[@PolaOpposite]

@@anandapandya1 Absolutely!

[@johnengland2996]

I’ll bet he was making much $$ on the road, too. That’ll make ya wanna go home.

[@hollywoodjoe123]

With or without Lionel - WES IS WES - !

[@hollywoodjoe123]

That also is in reality that WES was a greater man in this world than just HIS guitar playing what HE is known for - !

[@dannye2759]

Came here for Wes, fell in love with the whole thing.

[@alichamas63]

Love how you can hear him comping in the background too. Those guys run circles around today's entertainers!

[@snilloc52]

So glad clips like this exist, they could have been lost and forgotten and folks who weren't born back in the day wouldn't have the privilege of seeing and hearing these jazz masters at play.

[@PhillyTom]

Wes is the smoothing ever. Awesome video

[@Baghdadbatterymusic]

Here I am, 3 months away from turning 26, barely able to play over a major 2-5-1 progression. Wes is an absolute legend

[@harrymills2770]

Lionel Hampton would come out to Idaho every year and be the marquee player in the university's jazz festival in the 1980s. He lasted damn near forever. Clicked for Wes Montgomery. Stayed for the world-class band.

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

Incredible showmanship by everyone involved, but even greater musicianship.

[@AGoogleUser-hf5zg]

One of the greatest things I've found on the internet!! It's interesting how he sounds a lot like Charlie Chrisitan and nowhere near what he would become!! Gives us all some hope!!

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

It is interesting to hear Wes play at that stage of his development as a player. You can't hear it in this brief solo break, but big-band horn sections - especially the shout choruses they played to climax a tune - influenced to a great extent his conception of how to solo in block chords. What a wonderful experience for a young and up-and-coming player! Those cats put the "Big" in "Big Band"!

[@alansenzaki4148]

1949! I cant believe it. Amazing!!

[@danielcruz8347]

Unmistakable Wes..big hand pulls guitar up for his great thumb strikes. .film performance is unique for Wes because he is standing up instead of sitting down!! thank you for posting

[@NicanTlacaWarrior1]

INCREDIBLE footage, Wes = The G.O.A.T. Jazz guitarist!

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Hell of a band, hell of a band!

[@Toracube]

I’ve never seen a band where they play catch with a trumpet. Great vid.

[@davidfernleigh]

Yea really slick, not even presented as a showpiece, just like they do that kind of thing any old day of the week

[@katznik]

Almost the entire band solos, this isn’t just about Wes, it’s an amazing display of virtuosity for the entire band and each soloist. The entire band combined is the real killer for me. It’s cool how the sax section are behind on another when the other sections are still parallel. Maybe to make room for Lionel but who knows. Wes kills it along with everyone in the band.

[@PhillyTom]

Totally agree Mike. And they are all having a blast. Such a great video.

[@fakename3608]

You have got to be kidding me!! I had NO IDEA film of Wes this early existed!! Absolute GOLD. Oh man, this has made my LIFE! My all-time favourite musician, bar none. Love it. Love it. Love it!! ThankYou! (How did you find this?? Is there any more?? :D)

[@etiennewittich9652]

Here, I found the rest of the Video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/roGnY5x8g9ieaaM

[@marceloberestovoy7907]

same here! What a jewell!!!

[@glen7695]

I have loved Wes Montgomery's music since I first heard him in the late 60s.

[@garnerjazz58]

Isn’t that Al Grey? Didn’t fats navarro play with this band at some point? Quincy too.

[@hollywoodjoe123]

I ONLY WISH THAT THERE WERE MORE OF WES MONTGOMERY ON VIDEO / FILM FOOTAGE ALSO RECORDED / TAPED EARLIER IN HIS CAREER TO SHOW THE WORLD - !

[@pierreo2]

A true historical treasure. Thanks for posting.

[@leondray6504]

I see and hear Wes, I can t BELIEVE! Thank you so much

[@soulsurfermusic]

Wes is actually channeling the great Freddie Green on rhythm guitar. He was so astoundingly great!

[@JohnPrepuce]

Basically a mix of Freddie Green and Charlie Christian.

[@YogsenForfoth]

He sounds so much like Charlie Christian in this clip! You can really tell how much Wes admired and looked up to Charlie’s playing. It’s such a shame that Charlie passed away so young, because I would have given anything to hear him and Wes play together. Rest in Peace to both of those gigantic legends. ❤

[@thisbandreallystix]

In the favored and typical parlance of the jazzman/jazz musician: man, these cats can really swing! Lol :)

[@unwrought9757]

What an orchesta it was! Stunning!

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

My #1 favorite Jazz Guitarist of all. Nice to see him before he created his trademark octave playing! I had to see it 5 more times!!!

[@PhillyTom]

Wes is the smoothest. His solo was short but this video is a treasure. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@mikerca]

Just incredible showmanship and fantastic music !!!

[@JazzgutsVGvanKampen]

Great these films still excist, fine musicians, that show was also made for the public who listen with their eyes.

[@kwnzgtube]

Most excellent, hot n' talented musicians...I'd listen to these musicians play any day, it's timeless grooves are still better than most music created and produced today!

[@vinceq1036]

Talent oozing off that stage like honey from a comb.

[@kentrichardson1957]

These guys are really working for their money---great to see Wes bopping at an early age--very cool.

[@Bardon222]

what incredible musicianship from the band! those trombones are unbelievable

[@unwrought9757]

Does anybody want to be a musician? Then listen to this and come again if you dare.

[@ClarenceHW]

Unbelievable footage, this adds anther chapter to Wes' musical life. Thank you!

[@organjoe]

Never tire of Wes - incredible talent!!

[@philmaz14]

Total boss from day one. Also, what a killing band!

[@jazzorphin]

What an enormous Bigband hurrican with so much individual power - thanks for this impressive musical gift !

[@Marlg]

Fantastic. Beautiful. What a great find. Thanks! ♥️

[@OGPimpin]

Duuuuuude, this is so awesome. Everybody was showing out!!!

[@245webster]

oh this is just unbelievable.. never thought anything like this existed...THANK YOU for posting!

[@PhillyTom]

Totally agree. Freakin awesome video. A treasure 👍👍👍👍👍

[@franciszerah9724]

Thank you

[@pierrechaouat]

Playing in this orchestra was to be the best possible training for a jazz musician. As for Wes, no doubt, his genius and his modernity are already there... Thanx 4 this video

[@kbkesq]

Exactly. Young guns haven’t been getting this experience on the bandstand for decades and it shows.

[@kimstrickland65]

Very cool, a reminder that wonderful popular music was being made back then.

[@waveegravee]

Every guy in Hamp's band was a monster soloist. What a great clip! Thanks!!!

[@OmarFlores348540]

2:02. I got here searching for Wes playing in the style of Charlie Christian. Thanks for posting it.

[@yokosomike]

Wow. Priceless.!!!

[@johnbarnett6924]

An Outstanding Video, thanks All ❤John Barnett aka Dobie.Wan Kanobie revisited 10 October 2023❤

[@ramsesstafford4640]

First time seeing this thanks for the upload, love Montgomery West.👍🏽

[@richardtharris]

Real music, and lots of fun!

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Outstanding !!

[@Pogo-qo1ob]

Wes looks like a kid playing w all folks his pops age, impressive cat

[@jaytea42]

Wes solos from 2:02 to 2:17 playing a Gibson L7, with his thumb.

[@michealbequignonappora8974]

The Master 🙏 .

[@jocknarn3225]

Priceless rare footage of Wes + Hampton maybe 85yrs ago

[@manoelteixeira4936]

Bons tempos, em que os músicos eram músicos verdadeiramente. maneco - Brasil.

[@christopherrkennedy4562]

This video has been entirely too difficult to find on KZbin. Richie Hart showed me this video at Berklee back in 2002 and that's the only time I've EVER seen it. Thank you very much for posting!

[@pandorski35000]

Wow, c'est génial çà, déjà le thumb tout jeune et la L5

[@harrymills2770]

"Man, those trumpets need ta quit steppin' on the trombone solo!" "Man, that IS the trombone! He just ain't 'upposed ta play that high!" Marvelous brass that knows it's brass. I'll allow the sax in as honorary horn, especially the way these guys play. Glad I grew up where I did when I did, and we got to play some of those charts in high school, with a band good enough to play songs like this, although only one or two of us was fit to solo, and all of THESE cats are studio-quality professionals, years ahead of any of us kids.

[@fogwalker4803]

Lionel Hampton knew how to start a giant , 26 person , musical motor , ...And let it rip !

[@michaelmack6069]

Tanto talento en una orquesta ....Creo que leí en una revista o en la portada de un LP en donde Wes dijo que en esos días los integrantes de esa orquesta se morían de hambre....

[@hillrobinson9547]

Whattttt!!?? 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Thank you for posting this!

[@pabloheredia4378]

He really was into Charlie Christian

[@davidbrogan432]

Incredible 🙇🙏🔥🔥

[@JGCPlayAlongs]

What a legendary recording...

[@oriraykai3610]

That had such an incredible beat and everyone was just sitting around watching, no on dancing. Compare to nowadays where everyone dances like a maniac to the most mediocre 'hip hop".

[@nkhmd]

thank you, unreal, everything I've read here I agree with, especially what "fake name" wrote below....nails my thoughts and feeling EXACTLY!!!!

[@245webster]

at this age you can really hear that Charlie Christian influence

[@ThePmfan]

Oscar Moore is in there as well as Les Paul also.

[@ChromaticHarp]

Duh

[@thadiusventricle6752]

Yes and like all great improvisers, having modeled himself after a great, he stopped studying CC or the guitar and started studying music. Each modern Wes solo evidences study and innovation in advanced harmony, rhythm and melody. Much of the “Wes sound” represents a contribution to music theory as other aspects of his playing contribute to Jazz and guitar. P.S Hamp cold incinerated the joint!

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

Looks like Wes has an ES-300 there!

[@Dang...]

Thanks for posting this!

[@pobinr]

So happy

[@robertgrippo5312]

Wes at 2:01

[@deannesbitt2079]

Flawless!! Superb!!

[@michaelmoss6110]

Man I wish I was driving this band!! Thanks for sharing this great piece of history! Wes comes in at 2min I think!!

[@bozakarlin9034]

Great video.

[@JackFlaps]

helluva band !

[@rhum66]

Amazing documentary .

[@insidejazzguitar8112]

Didn’t know. Very cool. thanks for posting

[@AndrewJanusson]

This is amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@nongkhiew]

Thanks a lot. I always read Wes came to jazz scene very late. This proves it wasn't true. And this Freddy Greene style comping, man, this is gold!!

[@chappahx]

This is a piece of digital artifact!!!!

[@HandmadeEffectsJAM]

The play is the same as in my later years. Thanks for the valuable video! I'm impressed!

[@colinbrown6919]

Love this.........

[@martinulstein9087]

Fantastic.

[@edwardmclaughlin7935]

Just class, the whole thing.

[@gabchaim8232]

Great Find!

[@pholeare]

Wow!!!!!!!

[@howardrobinson4938]

Jimi Hendrix probably saw this and thought to himself, "Yep. I wanna dance around like that sax player at the end and sound like the trumpet. What's that? There's something new out called a distortion pedal? And I can push my amp volume to 13? Cool, I'm in."

[@jerrybauer8108]

Very active!

[@kdakuginow]

And Illinois Jacquet jumped down and stole the show with his screaming sax. :o)

[@tonmisty]

Great footage.

[@guitarz99]

brilliant !

[@hank1519]

This band is so hot! And young Wes is great!

[@thebopshop9689]

LOVE IT!!!

[@user-jr8lf6pl2m]

If I'm not mistaken, the drummer hits the bass drum every beat😮

[@Alanoffer]

Just imagine being in the audience watching and listening to this ,,it’s just wild ,plus I had no idea Wes played in a big band

[@Horus18303]

Somebody knows if exists a video of Wes performing "Bésame mucho" ? Thank you for this gift!!

[@theopaopa1]

the "trumpet" solo at 1:16, great !

[@jeanmichelborello]

I think it's Clfford Brown.

[@delpanos]

is that young man really Wes? the thumb most definetely looks like Wes'!! video is pure gold !!

[@wraithstrongopark]

Talk about 🐈😻🐈‍⬛🐱cats swinging!!! Holy shit, man! Pure 🔥📛👨‍🚒fire

[@markcepeda8144]

WES 🎸👂👂👊👊👊👊👊👊👊👊

[@youyouric]

Woooooh !?!

[@EnricoMarasea]

Meravigliosi

[@richtraube2241]

Wow!

[@fredsanke4070]

..swingin' during peacetime...