Consilience Productions
CD Picks

Wes Montgomery
(b. 3/6/23 - Indianapolis, IN    d. 7/17/67 - Indianapolis, IN)

Title: Full House
Personnel: Wes Montgomery (guitar), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Wynton Kelly (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums).
Recorded: 1962
Label: Fantasy
Comments: One of the most natural musicians of all time, Wes Montgomery is as important to this music as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. His sense of rhythm was as sophisticated as Parker's, and his lines were nearly always perfect. An unbelievably humble man, he would often have mini-parties at the end of every gig, as fans would bring food and drink to the festivities. Never to indulge in drugs, he was a family man who grew up in Indianapolis and worked as a welder during the day while he played his gigs six-nights-a-week. Discovered by "Cannonball" Adderley in 1959, Wes practically exploded onto the scene at age 36 as the public was amazed at his incredible dexterity on the guitar, using his thumb to play instead of the usual guitar pick.

Title: The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery
Personnel: Wes Montgomery (guitar), Tommy Flanagan (piano), Percy Heath (bass), Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums).
Recorded: 1960
Label: Fantasy
Comments: An aptly titled CD, this one is a must-have by all means!

Title: Dynamic Duo (Remastered)
Personnel: Wes Montgomery (guitar), Jimmy Smith (organ), Grady Tate (drums), and Oliver Nelson Big Band, Oliver Nelson, arranger and conducting.
Recorded: 1966
Label: Verve
Comments: As his fame grew, there was more pressure to support his family with "real" money, and Wes began to produce more commercial albums near the end of his life. An exception might be this CD (his last for Verve), where he teamed up with the swinging Jimmy Smith on organ and the talented Oliver Nelson as arranger. Beautiful music to be heard by all!

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