Wes Montgomery - The Most Superb Jazz Music Guitar Player Ever! - Part 1
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Written by: davidwalker
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Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2011 |
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Contrary to most of the world's finest jazz guitar players, past or present, John Leslie 'Wes' Montgomery commenced to perform on the guitar comparatively late in life. At the age of 19, inspired by the albums of Charlie Christian, he began to play the guitar.
Wes Montgomery soon developed an extraordinary technique of single notes, octaves and chords that was so facile that many guitar players, before his appearance on the scene, would have believed it to have been technically impossible. Montgomery employed his thumb, instead of a pick, on his right hand and so made an unique and instantaneously recognizable sound. This unusual technique came about as a way for Montgomery to keep the volume of his guitar down whilst practicing so as not to disturb his neighbors at home.
After practicing the guitar for only 6 months Wes Montgomery was hired by a local combo to perform practically nothing else but Charlie Christian's solos note for note. Though not able to read music, Montgomery was fortunate to have a great ear for music and this helped him make speedy progress. Together with his brothers, Monk on bass and Buddy on piano, he grew to become a vital part of the Indianapolis jazz scene. Till 1959 Montgomery was almost unknown outside of Indianapolis, even though he had spent 2 years on the road with Lionel Hampton's Band from 1948 - 1950.
All through his time with "The Lionel Hampton Band" he was given the nickname of 'Rev' Montgomery simply because he was a teetotaller. Montgomery was a dedicated family man. Having seven kids, the road life that was the lot of most jazz musicians did not appeal to him. Nonetheless his love for playing jazz gave him a long and arduous working day. Throughout the day he worked in a local radio factory. During the evenings he played in the nearby Turf Bar and then moved on to play more jazz in one more club, the Missile Room, into the early hours of the morning.
A chance visit to the Missile Room by jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderly, who was on an one night performance to Indianapolis, finally led to international acceptance of Wes Montgomery's unique talent. Adderley was so impressed by Montgomery's great guitar playing that he instantly telephoned Orrin Keepnews, president of Riverside, the successful jazz record company. He urged him to sign Montgomery. Keepnews was a bit skeptical of Adderly's adulation but coincidentally had just noticed an article on Wes Montgomery by Gunther Schuller in an copy of the magaine "The Jazz Review".
Peabody Conservatory trained guitarist Steven Herron helps guitar players become better guitarists. His company ChordMelody.com features an enormous selection of jazz guitar tabs as well as instructional material by Wes Montgomery himself. Find out more and claim Steven's popular free monthly guitar lesson e-course available at: =>
Wes Montgomery guitar DVDs
Source: Wes Montgomery - The Most Superb Jazz Music Guitar Player Ever! - Part 1
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