Wes Montgomery | |
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![]() Photo of Montgomery during a recording session in the mid-1960s | |
Background information | |
Birth name | John Leslie Montgomery |
Born | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | March 6, 1923
Died | June 15, 1968 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | (aged 45)
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument | Guitar |
Years active | 1947–1968 |
Labels | Pacific Jazz, Riverside, Verve, A&M |
Website | wesmontgomery |
John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery (March 6, 1923 – June 15, 1968) was an American jazz guitarist.[1] Montgomery was known for his unusual technique of plucking the strings with the side of his thumb and for his extensive use of octaves, which gave him a distinctive sound.
Montgomery often worked with his brothers Buddy (Charles F.) and Monk (William H.), as well as organist Melvin Rhyne. His recordings up to 1965 were oriented towards hard bop, soul jazz, and post bop, but around 1965 he began recording more pop-oriented instrumental albums that found mainstream success. His later guitar style influenced jazz fusion and smooth jazz.