Jazz Guitarist. Wes Montgomery took up the guitar in 1943 and found his talent. He joined the Lionel Hampton Big Band in 1948 and toured with the band for two years as the lead guitarist. He developed his unique thumb-strumming style which allowed him to play an enormous variety of musical embellishments. After touring with the Hampton band, he returned to Indianapolis and formed the Wes Montgomery Trio with his brothers, Monk (William Howard Montgomery) and Buddy (Charles F. Montgomery). The trio played local clubs made their first recording (The Wes Montgomery Trio) in 1959 under the Riverside record label. They recorded four more albums for Riverside and Wes played in San Francisco briefly. This period established his reputation as a premier jazz artist. Later, recording for VERVE records, his Goin' Out of My Head album won a Grammy award in 1965. His next album A Day in the Life under the A&M Records label was the best-selling jazz record in 1967. He died of a heart attack just prior to leaving for a scheduled tour in Japan. Wes Montgomery Park in Indianapolis is named in his memory.
Jazz Guitarist. Wes Montgomery took up the guitar in 1943 and found his talent. He joined the Lionel Hampton Big Band in 1948 and toured with the band for two years as the lead guitarist. He developed his unique thumb-strumming style which allowed him to play an enormous variety of musical embellishments. After touring with the Hampton band, he returned to Indianapolis and formed the Wes Montgomery Trio with his brothers, Monk (William Howard Montgomery) and Buddy (Charles F. Montgomery). The trio played local clubs made their first recording (The Wes Montgomery Trio) in 1959 under the Riverside record label. They recorded four more albums for Riverside and Wes played in San Francisco briefly. This period established his reputation as a premier jazz artist. Later, recording for VERVE records, his Goin' Out of My Head album won a Grammy award in 1965. His next album A Day in the Life under the A&M Records label was the best-selling jazz record in 1967. He died of a heart attack just prior to leaving for a scheduled tour in Japan. Wes Montgomery Park in Indianapolis is named in his memory.
Bio by: Rick France
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