Wes Montgomery Documentary ( Part 4 of 4 )

[@AllegoryofPatrick]

Truly special. Grateful to know more of Wes's story

[@olivieraleman]

Glad to hear so many appreciating Wes and his music….I enjoy his commercial period as much as the straight ahead jazz recordings….as a musician, I’ve learned to play what I like at home and what others like when I’m getting paid.

[@macuser2]

I wish I could get other's to hear what I hear when I listen to Wes Montgomery? I discovered Wes when I was in 6th grade...my dad received his album "Movin' Wes'" for xmas, and I received my first guitar that xmas, well need I say more! Man, do I miss this man!

[@adamsrog]

Just finished watching this in full.. Thank you very much for posting this series!

[@PaulHofreiter]

RIP Wes, you are and will always be the best.

[@gopeace4797]

George Benson had a similar path. Started straight ahead and moved toward his pop/smooth style. A person has to eat, has to pay for living expenses. The beauty is that I've read several biographies of straight ahead guitar players who were discovered by George Benson. Having the cash has allowed these excellent jazzers to give the gift to others.

[@gentrismoore7566]

I was told that George Benson's first guitar was carved out of his family's front room cocktail table, I don't know if this is true but that would be an interesting story. I also heard his Father was killed by a Mob boss; this is all hearsay, but a movie deal would be nice on both these musicians, covering two different aras.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@ Go Peace: Two giants of jazz guitar owe, at least in part, their success to fellow jazz great and de facto talent scout Lou Donaldson. Donaldson, the renowned alto sax player, composer and bandleader, discovered Grant Green, and helped him get established as a major star in the modern jazz firmament, by touring and recording with him, and later guesting on his recordings as a leader. Then, proving it was no fluke the first time, Donaldson also played a big hand in putting George Benson's name on the map. Donaldson's role echoed that of another alto sax great in bringing Wes Montgomery into the public eye, namely Cannonball Adderley, who saw Wes perform in Indianapolis in 1959 and helped get him signed to Riverside Records, the same label for which he recorded. You are so right: Even the most-principled and committed jazz artist has to find a way to pay his bills, support himself and/or his family, and have enough left over to eat and sleep out of the rain and snow. Apart from a very few exceptions, modern jazz performers since the 1960s have found solving this economic problem to be a rather high mountain to climb. Many experiment with popular forms of music and make some money that way. Even someone the level of Herbie Hancock had his cross-over period when he charted on the soul/R&B charts. The same for Sonny Rollins, who guested on several Rolling Stones recordings. And so on. Jazz critics may say nice things about you when they like your jazz recordings and performances, but jazz critics don't pay the bills for these performers.

[@Soberan]

Priceless documentary, thank you for posting!!! One shudders to think what would have been his output had he lived past his 70s. An early loss for humanity of the same calibre as Mozart’s. PS: Nancy Wilson’s voiceover was also lovely, almost hypnotic.

[@chrisclermont456]

Wonderful documentary. Perfect narration from the legendary Nancy Wilson. As a kid, I had heard Wes' but didn't know who he was until my mother received his "A Day In The Life" LP through a record club in thr mail. My parents had planned to return it unopened but waited so long they had to pay for it. I dropped the needle and heard this phenomenal rendition of the Beatles classic song with a full orchestra. Instantly, I recognized the guitar playing. Now I knew eho it was, and I had to have anything this guy played on!! Thank you, Wes!!! ❤

[@scottberg1404]

He is one of the all-time greats.We wouldn't be watching these wonderful videos, and still listening to his timeless recordings otherwise.Wes lives!

[@The1KeyserSoze]

Thanks so much, BomberOMusician !! My grandfather played with Wes all around Indianapolis in the late 40's and early 50's. He had a TON of stories about Wes, but your documentary post to expand on so much of the stories I heard from him about Wes, Buddy and Monk. What an under-appreciated genius!

[@jean-lucbersou758]

Keyser Sozze I don't think Wes is under appreciated ! No one interested in Jazz and Guitar and first in Music can miss Wes ! If you consider Music and creativity it's absolutely Magic and beyond guitar limits for his impossible to play lines ,(even the single expo of any theme ), octaves ,chords , with the immediate sense of the finest compositions and matchless and extraordinary construction .All superlatives are not enough as you consider Genius Musicians ,a gift for all of us mere mortals .!!!! Wes for Ever and a day !

[@allenmitchell3770]

I'll be 69 years old next month I had to be 13 , years old I was listening to little Stevie Wonder singing I was made to love her. One of my older brothers came in with with Wes Montgomery album listen to the song open on the sunset yes we did I like it and I told him I didn't want to listen to that kind of music. I was in the Motown that time of my life but took me by blowing flute to catch on the jazz later on and I didn't know what I was missing West Montgomery my favorite guitars it's the greatest guitars I've ever heard, God bless Wes Montgomery. He was a god gifted talent. ✨💫✨👀

[@a.c.6475]

Excellent documentary, Wes is the epitome of jazz/blues guitar. My dad would play Wes, Jimmy Smith, Coltrane, all the great legends. Glad I was exposed to his music. thanks for posting!

[@Bomberomusician]

Glad that you enjoyed the documentary. The last tune is " While We're Young " see my Video Response right above your post. I play that very tune.

[@marioalicia]

An angel here on earth.

[@skimanization]

Wes was naturally a hard worker and loved his family, he would do music and sometimes he would his welding or so work. There's no story of him engaging in dangerous drugs and it can be also true that he died from stress. The only other thing other artists talk about was his chain smoking of cigars. But he's left us with a ton of great jazz standards, and great lessons for Jazz guitar which have transformed the playing of other Jazz guitarists. Thanks.

[@gentrismoore7566]

Outstanding, I could not stop this documentary from 1 to 4 it is inspirational and it grapples with my fertility of thought.

[@jean-lucbersou758]

Thanks a lot to share and offers this wonderful journey with beloved and fascinating Wes Montgomery !...Unique ....essential ....

[@2ventin2011]

thank you so much for sharing wes montgomery's life. what a gifted and talented man. he was indeed very handsome, died at a very young age. what an icon of a man. again thanks.

[@shjakes]

This is a great tribute to a phenomenal musician…Gone Too Soon. Thanks for posting this documentary.

[@OakPeak]

Bomber...Man, THANK YOU for posting this!! Excellent documentary - entertaining and informative. Very nice job on adding the video! Great insight into one of the most inspired and original musicians to pick up a guitar. Best thumb in the business,

[@Emanual0607]

Fantastic!!!

[@mountainlionify]

Wes, Coltrane, Bird, Monk and Art bumpin in heaven!!

[@marquiswallace9957]

Lol. Incredible. Rightfully so, Wes balked at recording “Goin’ Out Of My Head”. He reluctantly recorded it. It went gold then earned him a Grammy. Out of all of the great pure jazz recordings he made. That’s what the public wanted to hear and praise. Really? I bet he he laughed till his stomach cramped.

[@ror312gallery19]

unique,haunting,joyful,blues,jazz,pop guitarists,love to liste to wes,all the time,positive energy flows out of his playing and gives great peace to me... cheers wes you live on in all your music,,, robert

[@Bomberomusician]

Glad that you enjoyed it! I LOVE WES!

[@Bomberomusician]

Glad that you enjoyed the piece.

[@EmilioConesa]

Thanks so much for this video. After over 40 years of playing guitar I never get tired of Wes!

[@DennyJiosa]

The BEST! His impact on guitarists is astounding and will live on! Thank you WES!

[@yesyoumay]

Very nice documentary. Thank you Bomberomusician and to Nancy Wilson.

[@richardcranston1]

Great documentary , have learnt a lot about Wes , have always enjoyed the music . Many thanks ... Richard London

[@joeep46]

thanks to NPR.

[@clpennz]

This was wonderful. I know I had heard this before but there is always something missed. Hearing it again is so inspiring! Thanks!

[@anfiorsceal]

Watched all 4 parts - important stuff and great to have access to it - thanks for posting.

[@rillloudmother]

Thanks for posting this! I had never heard about Wes playing tenor guitar before, everything makes a lot more sense n view of the years of tenor guitar as a youngster.

[@shelleycarroltv4884]

LOVE YOU WES

[@railcar123]

Great documentary...thank you for posting!

[@davidarcherimages]

Thanks for adding the visuals. Nicely done!

[@johnathanrubin8863]

A pioneer in terms of just a guitar with strings no effects this is what I call a true guitar player broke my heart the ending

[@taildragger53]

I really love this whole doc.-A friend of my father's interviewed Wes in 1965 on his only trip to England. Wes played Ronnie Scott's Club and was interviewed by Ike Isaacs & Cedric West. Infact, Wes stayed at Cedric's house.( i think that's Cedric with Wes at 8:25) Part of that interview is on the 'Wes Live @ Ronnie Scotts' CD. But even if we were to pick up the corniest tune done by Wes you'll still find genius phrasing somewhere on it. Thank you for this.

[@zu0832]

thanks so much for posting!!!

[@gaiusdrusus]

Bombero nice...something I am taking away for my practice is the power and expressiveness of down strokes. After all these years and techniques...just breathing and swinging on the down strokes so simple so effective. Of course- knowing more about Wes is a great gift as well :-)

[@luishem]

Thank you so much, i love this.

[@four-on-six]

wonderful documentary! thank you so much for sharing

[@markbridwell8972]

A great tribute to the legendary Wes Montgomery , but a more significant commentator could not have been found . Nancy Wilson was the most articulate , not to mention charming , spokeswoman _ _ she had intimate connection with many mentioned in this video . And we miss her as much as we miss Wes , Monk , Cannonball , Nat , Wynton Kelly and many others in this medium we call jazz . Hopefully they will remain our mentors in modeling what is good , as opposed to "that other stuff " (Ellington) .

[@Bomberomusician]

Glad that you enjoyed the profile. I LOVE WES!

[@detroitbuffalo]

By the way, thanks very much for the documentary....I know you put a LOT of work into it!

[@NeilRaouf]

god, i love him too! his music makes me smile!

[@NeilRaouf]

thank you so much!

[@Bomberomusician]

@taildragger53 I'm so glad that you enjoyed the Profile. About Wes's European Tour. I have that High Quality DVD Video footage.

[@dhouchi]

thanks man!

[@Bomberomusician]

@detroitbuffalo Glad that you enjoyed the documentary. The song @ 7:55 is "While We're Young "

[@ninjasbar]

Thank you for such a beautiful documentary...whats the name of the last tune on this episode?...i loved it...thank you again...

[@Pompo145]

Alright thanks!

[@Bomberomusician]

That tune is " While We Are Young " Im playing it above....

[@joshuagarcia5689]

Wes is the bes 😊

[@Bomberomusician]

@dhouchi My pleasure. We love WES!

[@detroitbuffalo]

What is the song that starts at 7:55?

[@rupertlay7684]

Rek the man with the white Gretch is Kenny Burrell

[@seanahern3916]

What is the solo guitar recording at 9:00 ?

[@adamm7001]

'While We're Young' from "So Much Guitar!"

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

"While We're Young" a gorgeous solo chord-melody arrangement by Wes of the 1943 standard by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz. Wes' solo playing was so beautiful and haunting. I wish he'd done more of it for his fans to enjoy.

[@johnnieboi]

Does anyone know what song is playing at 7.56...

[@ataurus62]

Don't forget those damned cigarettes, they helped cut his time short. 8:35

[@2dasimmons]

I'm sure, but times were SO hard for the black musicians then I'm amazed he wasn't a drug-addict. I've heard the experiences of Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan (who was called Salty because she would cuss folks out when they pulled that racist crap on her). Some of the most outrageous and touching stories came from Billy Eckstine and Duke Ellington. RIP beautiful Jazz folk.

[@lwmson]

Yeah, I think the cigarettes was a major reason for the heart attack that took his life; they usually do. But he did live in an era where cigarette smoking was a common and socially acceptable custom, much like coffee drinking.

[@ayoungethan]

He kept a crazy schedule that didn't allow for sleep, which is probably at least as significant as smoking. Not sure about drinking and diet or physical activity (long hours sitting also increases all cause mortality markers). He got killer headaches and I notice he sounded congested a lot in interviews so a good bet that he had some significant chronic inflammation, which again increases all-cause mortality markers. In addition to all the crazy shit he and others had to put up with in the class and race struggle.

[@robertgannon2586]

No doubt

[@Bomberomusician]

@rillloudmother Yes, Wes was interested in the guitar & fooling around with the Tenor Guitar alot earlier than once thought.... It all worked out for Wes ! ( And for US ) ;)

[@jecrispy8217]

Damn, he died so Young that sucks!

[@req777]

Hey! Who is that man with a white Gretsch at 8:26? anyone knows?

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

I can't lay my hands on the book - Wes' biography by Adrian Ingram - but the photo comes from Wes' European tour in 1965, probably in Britain when he guested at Ronnie Scott's club in London. It isn't Kenny Burrell, that's for sure.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Gary Gidden's comments about "wasting" the last three years of Wes' career with commercial pop recordings is certainly understandable from someone of his impeccable jazz credentials and love for the music. But the fact of the matter is that critics don't buy enough records to make up for the popular audience lost by playing music too far over their heads for them to enjoy and understand. In an ideal musical world, everyone would be exposed to and understand the glories of jazz music at a young age, but we don't live in that world. Consequently, the best way to get people to learn to understand and love jazz is by drawing them into it a little at a time. In this regard, jazz-influenced pop recordings like those Wes recorded in the latter portion of his career are invaluable. Wes was incapable of being unmusical; he could - and did - turn the trite and otherwise forgettable pop songs into miniature masterpieces of cool. Wes took his responsibilities as a husband and father very seriously, and for this reason, he was happy to play at last a form of music that could win him a larger audience, and thereby greater income, in what turned out to be the last few years of his life. He continued to play jazz at an extremely high level when the opportunity presented itself - his 1965 European tour and his club dates with the Wynton Kelly Trio being examples... and he recorded commercially-oriented music with Creed Taylor as well. Seems like Wes and his team had finally found a workable career formula for him. What a shame he did not live longer to have the chance to enjoy the journey a bit more.

[@Pompo145]

What was the name of the song that was playing during the part of Wes's death?

[@Bomberomusician]

Pompo145 "while we are young"

[@sblack48]

I think the cigarettes along with burning the candle at both ends for too many years. Very sad he was so under recorded. Players would still be pouring over the recordings and transcribing them.

[@roythomson555]

He died so young, wonder if it was over work or the ciggies? Guess we'll never know.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Wes' schedule for years on end was literally backbreaking. Working a full-time day job as a welder in a battery factory, then off to play gigs and then jam until the wee hours of the morning, grab a few hours of sleep and start al over again. If published accounts are accurate, he played 5 nights out of the week, on an on-going basis. Even after "making it" as a pro musician, he still had it rough in the sense that his gigs were often many miles apart, and he and his band-mates drove - and not flew or took the bus - to most of them. Besides which, Wes hated flying. However, what really did him in is probably the combination of obesity, cigarettes, and what we'll call "the life" of a jazz cat - uneven hours, not enough sleep or rest, poor diet, not enough exercise, and so forth. Wes' nickname with his friends was "The Preacher" in part because he was such a devoted family man and clean-living sort - no drug or alcohol habit - but even then, being obese and a chain-smoker is a death sentence for too many men in that category. Given those, it is almost certain that he had hypertension, too - high BP - which is also a big killer of black men in particular. Today, medical science knows a lot more about how to save people who present with signs and symptoms like Wes had, but the state of the art just wasn't yet there in 1968. Mobile ICUs with paramedics were still not yet invented or common, even in big cities, and many of the lifesaving drugs, therapies and surgical methods we now take for granted still lay in the future. That's the real tragedy of his death; if Wes Montgomery had lived another ten, perhaps even five years, innovations which might have made the difference might have been there for him.

[@daniellurman9093]

Probably his wife hen-pecking him to hell

[@johnathanrubin8863]

A pioneer in terms of just a guitar with strings no effects this is what I call a true guitar player broke my heart the ending