"Wes" Montgomery (1923 - 1968) was an American jazz guitarist. He is widely considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian and influencing countless others. Montgomery was known for an unusual technique of plucking the strings with the side of his thumb which granted him a distinctive sound.
He often worked with organist Jimmy Smith, and with his brothers Buddy (piano and vibes) and Monk (bass guitar). His recordings up to 1965 were generally oriented towards hard bop, soul jazz and post bop, while circa 1965 he began recording more pop-oriented instrumental albums that featured less improvisation but found mainstream success. His later-career guitar style is a major influence on fusion and smooth jazz.
Albums:
1958: Fingerpickin'
1958: Far Wes
1959: The Wes Montgomery Trio
1959: Yesterdays
1959: Pretty Blue
1960: The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
1960: Cannonball Adderley and the Poll-Winners
1960: Movin' Along
1961: So Much Guitar
1961: Wes and Friends
1961: Bags Meets Wes! (with Milt Jackson)
1962: Full House
1963: Fusion!: Wes Montgomery with Strings (strings arranged by Jimmy Jones)
1963: Boss Guitar
1963: Portrait of Wes
1963: Guitar on the Go
1963: The Alternative Wes Montgomery (alternate takes for previously issued albums)
1964: Panorama (Produced by Orrin Keepnews)
Verve (1964–1966)
1964: Movin' Wes
1965: Bumpin' (arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky)
1965: Smokin' at the Half Note
1965: Goin' Out of My Head (arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson)
1966: California Dreaming (arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky)
1966: Further Adventures of Jimmy and Wes (with Jimmy Smith)
1966: Tequila (arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman)
1966: Jimmy & Wes: The Dynamic Duo (with Jimmy Smith)
1969: Willow Weep for Me (unused takes from the Smokin' at the Half Note session; overdubbed woodwinds and brass arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman)
1970: Eulogy
A&M (1967–1968)
1967: A Day in the Life (arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky) (A&M Records/CTI Records)
1968: Down Here on the Ground (arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky) (A&M/CTI)
1968: Road Song (arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky) (A&M/CTI)
As sideman
1958: Kismet, The Mastersounds
1960: Cannonball Adderley and the Poll Winners (leader: Cannonball Adderley)
1960: West Coast Blues! (leader: Harold Land)
1960: Work Song (leader: Nat Adderley)