Wes Montgomery - Round Midnight

Wes Montgomery - Round Midnight

[@michaelcorenzwit716]

I saw Wes many times at the old Showboat in Philadelphia. He was as classy a person as he was a musician. I always sat and chatted with him on breaks and he was warm, friendly and intelligent and spoke with me like a friend. He was always original and never played any song the same way twice. Truly one of a kind and in a class by himself.

[@saintbeau2779]

that's an amazing experience. what a guy.

[@tboned5641]

I would say, sir, that you are one exceptionally lucky individual to have experienced that.

[@sathya999]

The Showboat...yeah...just what you say...sooo intimate. And the ability to hang out with those greats in between sets. We were really lucky man. Your words brought it all back. mmmmm

[@michaelcorenzwit716]

@@sathya999 Nothing like it today. I sat and talked with so many great musicians. They were all cordial, open and highly intelligent. Cannonball Adderley, Charles Lloyd, Kieth Jarrett, Art Blakey, Gary Burton, Larry Coryell, Pat Martino, Horace Silver and many more. You sat no more than 20 feet from the band stand or 10 feet if you sat at the bar. $3 cover charge which allowed you to get three drinks. Great times that will live with me forever.

[@ronsiegrist2034]

You can hear it in his playing too :)

[@imbees2]

I was 16 when I first started listening to Wes. I'm 72 now. And his music is still supreme to me as it was when I was 16.

[@PhifeZulu]

Wow I first heard Wes through this KZbin video when I was 16. I’ll be 27 this year. Nothing has topped this man’s talent

[@sblack48]

It’s kinda hard to listen to modern music after this. It just ruins you for life

[@travelingman9763]

Geniuses never stop surprising me too!

[@jamieburrell1081]

Did you ever see him or any other jazz legend live? I'll always be saddened by the fact I will never get to see majority of my favorites play live, very thankful for todays technology for recordings like these.

[@Droopy78212]

Respect!

[@misterx4757]

The pauses........ This master guitarist knows how and when to let the music breathe. Pure talent and genius!

[@bramposthumus9300]

Yes, yes and yes! Exactly that!

[@tomasvanecek8626]

The spaces between the notes

[@HomeAtLast501]

You must yourself have a sensitive ear if you have that insight.

[@maccrazyg5]

he strikes me as a player that is so confident on guitar that he's not surprised when he plays exactly what he wants to hear

[@tonishower6391]

I believe that Wes, Benson, and rheinhardt, did always do just that, and would have learned to very quickly. It's what happens when you that good. I could nearly do it on pedal steel but not fully....less so on guitar....improving but it will never ever ever be like Wes....🙄.....@maccrazyg5

[@tommacguigan1247]

Yeah, that sly half-smile and the sideways glances say it all. "I know I have it, and now you know it too..."

[@gregfoles5480]

These guys were never "surprised" that they played exactly the notes they intended to play. George Benson provided proof by scatting (singing ) the notes along with his guitar during solos.

[@cavaleer]

Well said.

[@klodm.2064]

That isn't such an unusual ability, I think most if not all professional jazz musicians know exactly what they are about to play and hear it in their head beforehand.

[@ThumpingThromnambular]

What amazes me is not just his playing, but his calm demeanor. He's playing that like he's writing a grocery list.

[@torbjornbrunzell5060]

Hope the food was as good as the music... :)

[@wehaveasituation]

um..think he might be in the "blue room"?....er, just sayin'..

[@unknownsoldierofjehovah3800]

Does that mean on dope?

[@wehaveasituation]

Wes smoked pot and enjoyed a drink, and of course chain smoked cigarettes (which killed him), but I don't believe he did smack--though indeed his bearing of "underwater cool" is often associated with it. Unfortunately smack was--and is--very common in jazz circles.

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

My great guitar teacher (who teaches mostly music theory, music notes, and no tab) Ralf told me that Wes played a gig almost every day which is amazing.

[@michaelodonovan7405]

I know some people will disagree but I think this is the finest piece of jazz guitar that I've ever seen and heard.

[@claytongillaspy8847]

Wes and joe pass and pat martino and to a lesser degreee pat metheney are my favorite jazz guitarists but this is great playing I love Wes also check out bill frissell he’s another great guitar player with total tone control very ethereal out of San fran

[@7deepbreaths.sounds]

Well, I don't think many people h.ave expressed disagreement with your comment thus far. I, for one, find myself to be in strong agreement with your statement

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Indeed..Guitar period..What you are SEEING IS MASTERY

[@whiskerbiscuit6674]

I personally don't think that this is the finest you have ever seen or heard. I think you've heard or seen better.

[@m4x358]

@@whiskerbiscuit6674 What do you consider the finest?

[@martinphilip8998]

This is what my daughter played for her music school audition. Straight A s for my baby. My wife and I waited in the hallway. Four years later my daughter graduated with the highest honors. A month later my wife died of cancer. I know this tune.

[@tomgardner8825]

so very sorry gor your loss

[@tomgardner8825]

so very sorry gor your loss

[@alexandergranone733]

So very sorry.

[@salvatormundi5184]

May you find peace

[@myrajoyce783]

Bless you martin

[@imbees2]

WES created smooth jazz, smooth jazz radio stations, with his music. No credit has ever been recognized, but we the people know the real deal.

[@Yourbankaccount]

It ain't smooth jazz, cmon. It's a ballad written by Thelonious Monk, beautifully interpreted by Wes...

[@brandoncerquedo3365]

@@Yourbankaccount I believe imbesss2 is right, we can disagree but Wes playing was sooth, and of course it doesn't sound 100% like todays smooth jazz but I think the roots of this permutation of jazz its in Wes's music, much like the roots of bebop were in Charlie Christian's music

[@examinfo]

Wes is accompanied by Harold Mabern on piano, Arthur Harper on bass and Jimmy Lovelace on drums.

[@biggestr0n]

Thank you very much, man! Ron P.

[@aarfeld]

Ron P Harold Mabern is still very active and plays quite regularly at such venues as Smoke, in new York.

[@MarcusExum97]

Wow it's amazing Harold Mabern still plays at age 81

[@darnellhampton2099]

Marcus RotMG Wow can't believe i found u here i love Wes and rotmg keep up the vids

[@mizp]

Lovelace has got to be the coolest last name I've ever heard.

[@guitarmusic524]

"There was never a finer guitarist than Wes Montgomery" - B.B. King (said to the crowd at the 1999 Indianapolis Jazz Festival) Nobody played with a deeper, more lyrical, effortlessly natural blues feel...and he never bent a string.

[@jonunderscore]

he did bend strings!

[@076657]

bending strings if for over-compensating mediocre guitarists

[@peterlloyd5285]

Wes used string bending a lot. There is a live show from the UK where he plays Four on Six; look at that.

[@076657]

Well yeah he did it with good taste, not in a showing off kind of way.

[@nathanmantle377]

@@076657 stupidest thing I've ever heard. Every possible note made by an instrument is different, and every different way of phrasing, whether that be bending, trills, sliding, etc allows for a different emotion to be evoked. Bending is the closest way for a guitar to mimic the human voice, which has in my opinion the most beautiful tone of any instrument. Most jazz guitarists emulate horn lines, hence the lack of bends, but to say that using bends is a sign of mediocrity is really ignorant.

[@PabloVestory]

That smile when he is going to play the final cadenza, and the public starts to clap thinking it has already ended, that smile says absolutely all about him as person, and in general about what jazz is supposed to be. And music.

[@PabloVestory]

And life.

[@mr.porgens7349]

He said," oh...thanks"!

[@LittleMissSunshine721]

Nothing like a little Wes on a rainy Friday. 🌧☔️🌧

[@donaldthomas3508]

It wouldn't hurt having you you on a rainy day my dear.😘

[@janarnaud8058]

Yes, like today in Barcelona.

[@vondahe]

I just discovered it also works on a rainy Saturday. 😊

[@oluwaogundiran]

​@@vondahe And on a cloudy Tuesday evening!

[@douglascarroll5239]

He makes virtuosic playing seem easy. This is a video of a genius.

[@PhifeZulu]

I started listening to this as a random KZbin video since I was 16 in high school. I’m about to be 27 this year and nothing has ever topped this talent. Rest in paradise G

[@philpryor7524]

There is such a unique beauty in Wes's sound production, the thumb technique, soft easy stroking, portamento, slurs, glisses, lovely concept of phrasing, immaculate attack, subtle rhythmic precision, all making for music beyond mere guitaring, or jazzing.., so poetic and beautiful and full though quiet...

[@enriquedejesuslopezmartine8545]

Uuuj

[@christophermitchum6829]

Absolutely gorgeous...grew up with the greats, too... don't forget, George Benson named him as his hero and inspiration 💯🎶✔️

[@tomasvanecek8626]

absolute rhythmic precision .. impeccable phrasing, and all.. how can we not love him 😍 The one and only

[@johannhauffman323]

I love when a musician takes something that is a bit complex and dense, and within that plays something melodically beautiful.

[@chadfelter3003]

We are all privileged to have such great video of such a wonderful performance. This version has stood the test of time...55+ years later and still no one can replicate the tone, taste and touch of Wes Montgomery. A true Master!

[@lifestraight]

Rest In Peace brother. Great music is timeless.

[@ror312gallery19]

agreed,bigtime,peace.

[@lilgarbagedisposal9141]

Sankara profile pic. Nice

[@7deepbreaths.sounds]

What?...no Black Thought freestyle in your Freestyle collection?

[@lifestraight]

@@7deepbreaths.sounds What do you mean?

[@AvdolMohammed]

You can tell he enjoys his craft. The joy is there in his eyes. The twinkle. He is such an amazing player.

[@seattlevegas66]

Wes is by far the best guitarist to study in the pursuit of jazz. Any negative comments are from those with little to no understanding of the amazing music that jazz is.

[@mrjon75]

I'm not particularly into jazz but I like this.

[@denaraptis5828]

Beyond me how 644 people gave this a 👎. Really? Unfathomable. This is smoother than silk. Wes was the man!

[@MrLuridan]

Well, “thumbs down” has been taken away, so those folks were vaporized! 😂

[@oluwaogundiran]

​@@MrLuridan Thanks to Thanos!

[@ameliaaroca8290]

Amazing. Thanks for charing this

[@dorandacolbert5973]

My grandfather's favorite guitarist.

[@kodebruijn4753]

I look at his face, and I can love this guy, he is special, sweet and honest. A person like him cannot just cease to be, he is eternal.

[@RichieALevy]

Iveseen many great jazz guitarists live, such KennyBurrell, Joe Pass, Gene Bertoncini, George Benson, Laurinda Almeida, Ting Hrines, Mickey Baker, and a few others, but there has been no other guitarist that has motivated, moved me, and shapedmy feel and style like Wes Montgomery. Sadly, he died the year I had just started to learn how to play.

[@keengkoong]

Its a good feeling to know there are other people who enjoy this music just like you

[@sprojojoing]

That double time solo 2:34 is in my opinion one of the greatest jazz guitar solos ever. The cat was a genius.

[@pollyvaughnzimmerman1699]

Thank you ..many times many..thanks and thanks again!!!

[@mqblues]

His thumb -- the human touch on strings -- makes his sound warm -- like he's in the next room. I could listen to him all night and frequently have done just that. The best.

[@shatteredsquare]

GOD GAVE ME THUMBS AND BY GOD I'M GOING TO USE ONE

[@petatap]

THUMBS UP !!!

[@pieterpierrot1490]

Just like Wes

[@TheOldBoy101]

He's all thumbs !

[@clevenellis152]

shatteredsquare ju

[@toxictruck7]

What if all his fingers were thumbs !!

[@CoCre8ors]

Without a shadow of doubt the greatest decoration of time with a guitar ever captured on camera…. Long live the great Wes Montgomerys music, name, spirit and legacy

[@stewartbrands]

Absolutely. No doubt.

[@brucewilson1958]

I play acoustic. Various styles. Some jazz ballads and swing. I fingerpic, jazz pinch, and play leads with a pic. I try to relate to the Wes style. So much thumb. That is one smart thumb. I enjoy the fleshy sound, but the faster runs...just don't know he does those. Bravo. Beyond smooth..Uber Smooth. An American Crown Jewel! Bravo, again.

[@sebastianscottaxelsson]

I think this is one of the best things I've heard

[@bigsidable]

To think I listen to him as a 12 year old kid getting ready for school. Had only two albums Wes and Wilson Picket. Why I play guitar today at 68.

[@rondelio8562]

I have heard people herald the praises of Wes Montgomery. But seeing and hearing him play I can see and understand why!

[@daviddoyle4516]

My only regret in life is ,,,"I DIDN'T GO SEE WES WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE" . He played at a jazz club in Hermosa Beach m CA called The Lighthouse many times and I never went. I thought he would be around for ever but God had other plans for Wes. We miss you Wes. DD

[@Humanity2102]

I saw Wes live every time he performed in Washington DC. The last time was a couple of months prior to his untimely death. He was one of the nicest humans anyone could meet. Wes had a great personality and made you feel like an old friend. I've never heard anyone play the guitar like Wes. He was the Big Daddy of modern jazz guitar. A true master of single note, octaves and block chord solos. And, he made it look so easy! He would be looking around the club smiling at the audience and playing impossible stuff without looking at the fretboard. Wes gave me some advice the last time I saw him at the Bohemian Caverns and it took me almost ten years to figure out what he was really telling me. He was a true genius!

[@malinstella6965]

Mr. Montgomery is my Jazz god!

[@chuckfrost5624]

Wes was the greatest.

[@restEZmo]

I thank God for giving us Mr. Montgomery.

[@stavrosk.2868]

I have travelled far and wide in the guitar universe, but one always ends up at Wes Montgomery's door when it comes to the greatest jazz guitarist ever.

[@joaopedroferrari9120]

This is definitely the best recording he ever did. All the notes and grooves make one compact thing that expresses exactly what he wanted to say.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

And just when you think it´s over .. he brings so much more, again and again. There is about 3 times more of absolute joy 😍

[@mattparksmusic]

Wes seems like such a nice person

[@jantrieger4500]

i know, huh.

[@TheIndogamer]

I'd invite him for coffee

[@andrescosta2992]

That's funny.......I just happened to say that......" Wes, seems to be a nice person " I guess his expression .... we feel the same way. I play guitar so little...& " Autumn Leaves " ...its a great song....I do play it. To make history short.....I will try....ok ! 3 friends just sold their houses within the past 2 yrs.......& we used to get together an average once a month/once every 2 months......She played the piano ...so nice...& played a couple of times for "Yes".. .... Jim was the Saxo.man & high most of the time...... lol The drummer boy... (piano girl husb)......he really enjoyed each time....we got together......and Me...the only Latino & @ the Spanish guitar...of course. Ohhh forgot the drummer......I like when he sang ..... " Mack the Knife"...and imitating Luis Amgstrom strong voice........he was very funny. We played past 5 New Yrs eve... ..and that eve..... was our band climax...(I call it)..lol. My my point is....." I miss them all ..very much " ..even Jim the Sax.man wasn't my favorite player......& I say it.. 'cause each time I wanted to sing.....he hated......I know it was my Latin accent singing.....he hated. Anyway..... can't wait...to visit them & have the reunion of our lives. Thnks for reading me...!!!! Finally the mssg is....." it's nothing better ...than playing an instrument " ..it does relaxes U..! besides.....friends love when U play....for them . No matter your age......U can play...!

[@ashu7pathak]

What do you mean seems? He was one!

[@andrescosta2992]

If Matt dont know him personally....he can't say Wes it's a nice Guy.....Good enough saying he SEEMS... I think U "seem" like a trouble person.....

[@pandorski35000]

i always come back to you, like rain to the sea, my melodious master

[@danielnoviel3223]

une des plus belles mélodies du jazz jouée par un surdoué de la guitare, une pure merveille !

[@tohnniehitchens4577]

More than fifty years later, the acoustic guitar mastery Wes Montgomery still is magic to the soul

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

But even though his guitar was full size his thimb technique would not work without an amp

[@markroths2306]

That’s an L5, not an acoustic. Huge difference.

[@Yourbankaccount]

this ain't acoustic

[@itsthenicolas]

Hollow body electric guitar. Not an acoustic

[@dondouglas]

I think that after this there is nothing more to hear from any guitarists, the lucky ones will be close, but nobody will reach perfection like this Wes recording.

[@robertflint2549]

The man with the golden thumb. Another great musician who died too soon.

[@kennydunk]

1965? Wow I guess he is a bit older than I remeber in pics but thought he passed by 65 already. Truly one of the best R.I.P. Mr. Montgomery.

[@sevinatenine4444]

LIKE WHEN YOU'RE FEELING TIRED AND WORE DOWN AND YOUR SON JUST OUT OF THE BLUE SAYS HE LOVES YOU CAUSE YOU'RE HIS DAD.THAT'S THE FEELING I FEEL WATCHING THIS IN 2020

[@cahg3871]

Wes and his magical thumb.While many used four fingers and a thumb,or a plectrum,he only needed that thumb to make magical music.Rip Mr.Montgomery,you are sorely missed.

[@softailspringer9915]

Man, I love these black and white jazz films.

[@genewilliams617]

When I was still a heathen and didn't know any better, I got angry with God when Wes Montgomery died so young. Such a great loss to the world.

[@chrisrva710]

Wes and Jeff Beck are the two guitarists that can play very sophisticated melodies and look like they’re not even trying.

[@terryjames548]

Truly phenomenal guitarist . Historical.

[@johnbarnett6924]

Woodsheding with Wes and Company ,Make My Time Well Spent❤ Thanks all for His Music Posted for All Of Us John Barnett thanks ❤ Revisited 27 September 2023

[@paperboy1947]

My favorite guitarrist of the Music.

[@l.a.covers8400]

This is probably the greatest rendition of Round Midnight on Guitar.

[@samuelskidmore9827]

I like versions by Joe Pass and Earl Klugh as well...

[@mbongenimapipa3450]

Agreed.

[@jaijosefs1624]

Check out George Benson doing it live with McCoy Tyner. OMG

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Give a listen to Brazilian guitarist rendition of this iconic song.

[@tokaitelejohn5656]

@@michaelvaladez6570 yes, Baden Powell does a fantastic version of it on ‘Tristeza on Guitar’, an album from 1966.

[@Heladio54]

I fell in love with jazz as a fresh out of highschool in 2018, thank you Spotify for choosing to recommend me that late night jazz playlist. Shit has been life changing.

[@BucketheadsBucket]

I’m a sophomore in high school so you aren’t alone in this generation. Jazz isn’t dead!

[@Heladio54]

@@BucketheadsBucket good luck in school! Things can be confusing but that's okay. You got this.

[@Heladio54]

@@BucketheadsBucket wise one by John Coltrane got me through alot of angsty HS nights

[@BucketheadsBucket]

@@Heladio54 thanks I appreciate it!

[@dylankopff5062]

Such beautiful playing. Back when real songs were written ,

[@hifaso]

Wes was more elegant than a prince.

[@jeremystein4534]

This is the best guitar solo in human history.

[@imbees2]

Wes Montgomery . Play it now. Yessss. Love it

[@timbernard8783]

I could listen to Wes Montgomery all day

[@Zamalshkay]

3:22 u can see in his face he was disappointed he messed up that part first time and shakes his head, second time he gives it more focus and does it perfect, on third time he still slips up a little, this was a true genius and prob biggest critic of himself thats why he was the greatest

[@DenianArcoleo]

one of the most incredible jazz performances I've ever heard. Wes was a fabulous natural musician.

[@allen6924]

+Denian Arcoleo As well as a very studious musician, he'd been a professional recording musician with his brothers early in his life. You can't be that good without knowing music theory intimately, and a natural gift just augments your ability. It's the phrasing that separates the greats from the rest of the field.

[@JackHandysideMusicUK]

+Allen C. Been transcribing lots of his lines recently and his phrasing is utterly genius. How could he craft such intelligent lines into his solos, I'll never know.

[@roberttaylorcurryii]

+Jack Handyside ...I ONLY WISH I HAD the INTELLECT to transcribe...!!!...I DEEPLY respect YOUR abilities...!!!

[@teddypantelas]

Does he have a book of transcriptions?

[@teddypantelas]

+ jack handyside. I see, you've been transcribing his lines. Genius he was and his lines are perfection and grace every time!

[@imbees2]

Nobody holds a candle to Wes. One and only

[@bike_lock9278]

Jazz has to be the most calming genre of music ever created step aside lofi

[@hightowergaming5301]

Lol lofi is basically diluted jazz 251s run through a tape machine...

[@bassreeves2410]

try sun ra and charles mingus. their music is very calm and soothing.

[@ulrichvoenkaul3347]

His way to play guitar is so warm and smooth as a velvet blanket.

[@workoutfanatic7873]

"a jazz guitarist plays 100,000 chords for 3 people, whereas a popular rock guitarist plays 3 chords for 100,000 people"

[@sixmix1210]

Notes*

[@sixmix1210]

This is lead work.

[@sixmix1210]

Fabricio Lima Yeah most likely, but there are tons of lead guitarists in rock that play ridiculous amounts of notes.

[@cfalcon8342]

+Pavle Zvekić That's true, he never said it would make music better. I think he's just pointing out the irony behind how some of the most popular music today doesn't use as many chords as many jazz musicians do

[@cfalcon8342]

+Pavle Zvekić Irony like I mentioned before. And well I don't know what being proper has to do w/this, but this is the Internet after all

[@jennifernorman4087]

Haven't heard this song in 20years.... My grandma use to place this every Saturday morning .....

[@clappzzz]

Fierce and mellow soul.

[@carterwatson1949]

John mayer got me into bill evans but I didn’t connect with bill but then I came across Wes and 1. I’m just blown away. 2. Right now he’s all I want to listen to & is keeping me sane. Such beauty.

[@richardprout1681]

Wes Montgomery blazed a trail for most of the famous guitarist in the last 50 years....bar none. He was one of the very best to have ever done it.

[@nahidshahriar427]

Its criminal that this version is not available on spotify.

[@gossed7711]

beard arent you dead

[@johnsteelman1410]

It would take a genius to play the way he does....John From North Carolina.

[@claytongillaspy8847]

Yes and then there’s joe pass who is just as good as Wes in many ways not better but great like Wes

[@wordytoed9887]

The way this song ends somehow tops everything that came before it. Sweet goodness. What a performance. What a performer. (And band).

[@coulton-davisjazz2872]

This is one of the most thrilling and innovative versions of this famous tune. I've been playing this for decades and this gives me all kinds of NEW ideas. Not just what Wes is doing, but the whole band.

[@nogoogleplus]

smooth as warm butter

[@titchner211c]

LOL His playing reminds me of butter also!!!!!

[@deanmary1969]

If you're still there very well put ...ol man way down in TX coming home from military in late dec67 I would plug his 8track and drive or just sit in the car playin it over and Over and over and Over......again smooth as warm butter !

[@mudpieskateboards580]

Before we had Wes Montgomery........ now we have Sheck Wes..........

[@TimothySweeney]

unparalleled mastery

[@railcar123]

Just by Wes's disposition on stage is a testament to how real of a human being he was.

[@juyulli]

The best Round Midnight of all versions! Wes is superb!

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

Wow! What a coda! I like the way the bass player keeps it simple - pretty much just the main harmony notes - allowing Wes to shine . . .

[@fatroberto3012]

His left hand work is outstanding. There is so much going on there that you can't see and what you can't hear is more impressive than what you can.

[@philipatoz]

What I love about Wes, is he plays so melodically and soulfully - but he never forgets the overall musical canvas - he's there to make a beautiful soundscape, even MORE so via his inventive embellishments. There is a tendency with some jazz soloists to get so narcissistic in their playing - relentlessly showcasing their own chops as opposed to what is far more satisfying - which is making a piece of music a collaborative synergy of instruments, with each instrumentalist playing both a unique as well as collective contribution to the overall sonic canvas. Wes was always mindful of what approach in his playing would make the piece better musically.

[@imbees2]

Lest we not forget, Wes Montgomery established "Smooth Jazz" on the radio. Radio executives took his style and created a radio institution. Tho Wes never received credit.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

It was Creed Taylor and Sebesky who made Wes what he never wanted to be .. just a puppet

[@marimokayo]

This is as close to musical perfection as it gets folks.

[@massimos6863]

Wess Montgomery was one of the greatest of our time always remembered ❤ 🙏

[@jarmtl]

Wes Montgomery, guitar Harold Mabern, piano Arthur Harper, bass Jimmy Lovelace, drums from jazzonthetube.com

[@patriciamcallister3253]

+Djé Thanks for listing the artists on this CD. Will be buying it!

[@musicforthecause]

Wes Montgomery has and always will be one of my favorite musicians. The way he plays the guitar sounds so soulful and beautiful. Woooo! Dig!

[@sammuniz5360]

Wow! Beautiful. And he makes it look so easy.

[@rockyvalentine]

For my generation this is the man that George Benson idolized, but Wes the genius of jazz guitar period!

[@vivalav9533]

Elegant coolness ....such skill! He even developed his own style of playing.

[@notefarmer1]

The only guitarist I know of who picked almost exclusively with his thumb, mostly in one direction. It limits speed and articulation but that is what created his unique, recognizable sound. He does a lot of tricks with chordal riffs, octaves and pull-offs. He must have been self-taught. I can't imagine any guitar teacher advising that technique. A beautiful sound using a Gibson Super 400, the largest jazz guitar built and truly sweet-sounding.

[@slimturnpike]

Any idea what amp he might be playing through here?

[@robbraden3266]

I think he's playing a Gibson L5. Block inlays rather than split inlays. Also the "torch" inlay on the headstock and the tailpiece are the L5 designs. Genius performance.

[@guitarsean]

@@slimturnpike According to Equipboard it's a Standel Super Custom XV equipboard.com/pros/wes-montgomery/1965-standel-super-custom-xv

[@protitikhan3861]

Dear kindred spirit that listens to good music and appears to own a Nebulung cat, are you also Canadian? Because that would be a rad coincidence.

[@sblack48]

Apparently completely self taught and did not read music

[@frankiethewolf7712]

How could you unlike this ?! At this day in age , this is still some greatest guitar instrumental to date. He was just trying to sound different, are we so different in 2018?. This is what 8 hours of practice and a heart that’s driven to create music looks like 🌹

[@rembeadgc]

Makes me miss the late, great DC guitarist/band leader/mentor and friend Jerry Gordon, under whom I served as drummer for 6 years. Wes was a BIG influence on Jerry. Jerry was Wes on (pick a stimulant). Sometimes Jerry would play while sitting on the edge of a barstool with such passion and abandon that you would just wait for him to slide off and hit the floor. But he never did. That was how he played (and sometimes lived), dangerously close to the edge but never falling off. Well, later in life I guess he did fall off the metaphorical barstool. You can find some clips of Jerry on KZbin but nothing compares to having seen him live, in his prime, during one of our club dates at Columbia Station, The Saloon, The Haven or one of the many other places we played. Jerry loved an attentive audience and would play for them until he was spent, and then turn around and call on me, Doc Samba (electric bass dates) or Emory Diggs (acoustic bass dates) to solo and do the same. It was the high point of my jazz career and I'm deeply grateful for it.

[@rickbangkok]

I am from the DC area and was unaware of Jerry. Thanks will look him up. I did see Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton quite a bit. Roy Clark grew up a bit in SE DC near my Mom's family home.

[@EnhancedImagination1]

Wes would still be cutting edge today - you can only get so good. I have heard a lot of guitarists in my life, but he is right up there - with Django.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Far as I am concerned, Wes is the greatest jazz guitarist of all time - all of the rest are fighting for second place. And he belongs in the pantheon of the all-time greatest jazz musicians, regardless of instrument. The kind of talent he possessed comes along so seldom and is so rare! We are fortunate he recorded frequently so that his genius can live on for generations to come.

[@Nils3OWN]

Generations to come? Meh, history wise maybe. AI will be writing better music sooner than 20 years, I'm sure.

[@arthurxafis]

KZbinr you are so so so wrong my friend

[@Nils3OWN]

Arthur You don't know anything about the subject it seems.

[@grahamt33]

Yes, but I bitterly regret the lack of filmed live JAZZ performances - those that exist for some strange reason date only from 1965 and the live audio surviving from his late career eg the half note [also 65] proved he had only just changed gear to 5th compared to his early /mid career - yes, Georgia Boy1961, if forced to make a choice between Wes and all other jazz guitarists I agree its got to be Wes

[@numbers419]

I love the look on his face. You can see the enjoyment he is getting out of his show

[@josemolina959]

The most beautiful guitar sound ever! John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery.The Master R.I.P.

[@JonnyZye]

Can't get over the pure feel and class of this incredible performance...