Wes Montgomery - West Coast Blues - 1965

[taildragger53]

I always wonder what Wes was reading off the music stand since he never read music nor even followed chord charts.

But what a smile he had..he took it all in his stride.

[blueturtleblues]

Wes amazing....Amazing Wes....Just hear how does begin the solo....

[keesvangulik127]

That smile. Wes was a great guy.

[MrJazzologist1]

Simply the finest jazz guitarist born. Can't add to that.

[mylearningchannel1]

Wes comes from another planet...just landed here one day and blew us all away..a jazz icon and most mimicked guitarist ever...single note..chord solos...octaves..he was a beast!

[MrPegbar]

sorry, didn't mean to post twice...

[MrPegbar]

The drummer is Phil Seamen, widely acknowledged as the best of the British (and European) jazz drummers - this is great footage.

[MrPegbar]

The drummer looks like Phil Seamen, who was widely acknowledged as the best of the British (and European) jazz drummers. Great film.

[Astrotype]

@MrPegbar Actually, it's Ronnie Stephenson. The credits are there if you click on "show more" :)

[MrPegbar]

@Astrotype Ah, so it is. They look very much alike, both physically and in technique - both seemed to play with matched grip. Thanks for the correction.

[Astrotype]

@MrPegbar no problem, thanks for the comment. I've corrected erroneous info in a couple of my other videos due to viewers pointing it out (after double checking) :)

[Tobbe999999999999999]

sick technique - uses his thumb! and of course amazing music.

[rogersdrums]

The drummer remnds me of a guy named Mitch Mitchell...

[jazzroom]

Wes - The Man! Looks like Johnny Griffin on 1st tenor from the left?

[CorvusDreams]

With almost everything he does I find myself with my eyes closed and in a different place by the time the song ends, an involuntary journey, coming back to consciousness is alot like coming out of the effects of an anesthetic. I don't dare put Wes in my car because I most likely would come out of it on some gurney table in some hospital somewhere. Thanks for this upload.

[GagaMan214]

Joe Pass simply loved Wes's playing. He commented that it was purely improvised music.

[talbotvanman]

@thevgmk1 yes thought I recognised Ronnie Scott on tenor

and probably Ronnie Stephenson on drums ?

[jessthehorse]

Agree with all ... "a breath of fresh", unique, innovative, original and groovin' like a sewer rat!

[kelvinkelvin20]

The 3 dislikes must be for the sax players taking up too much of the song!

[bluenotetom]

Without a doubt one of the greatest guitarist of all time.

[wnieke]

That's the year I was born in. Man... I had no idea music like was around, when I landed on the planet. Took me 46 years to find out. (Talk about slow...? LOL)

[univibe23]

You-Tube has given me a whole new appreciation of Wes Montgomery. I always just thought of him and the 'Octave Player." But he was a great single note player/improviser! 65 was a very good year!

[taildragger53]

Have you noticed how all other guitarists pull the worst ever faces whilst playing BUT Wes smiled handsomely? Wes was effortless. The finest ever. No need to bother with any other guitar player.

[funknsuch]

i love when he rips octaves like that

[Saccous]

Wes, Wes, Wes.

Just love him.

The greatest of all guitarists ever...

[wward35634]

Cool like a  Sunday drive down a sunny coastal highway with crystal clear skies.

[element1120]

3 emo's have pressed the dislike button.. what a disgrace...

[philweinstock]

Yah baby Yah!!

[SeerTrulth]

The joy and clarity here makes me cry.

[sdoruconstantin]

This is BLACK Django !!! hy hy hy ...both are great guitarists !!!!

[adamolambert]

I'm gonna lay it on the line...If you' have EVER picked up a guitar and do not realize the absolute greatness that is WES, then you need to find another hobby or profession...There is NOTHING that you can learn....You are musically dyslexic!

[taildragger53]

@adamolambert Absolutely. Wes's humble smile said it all. Possibly the happiest looking musician that ever lived. There'll never be another.

[tedybear335]

Waoww Weeees!!

[chooseyourblues]

Yes, Ronnie second from left.

[starsby]

watched this a million times......Aint he just the coolest dude ever to hold one of these fine instruments nuff said

[debbeejean]

I just adore the joy on Wes' face...happy is he.

[HotRadioDJ]

i'm happy the classics keep popping up! i'm glad you guys are sharing your stuff ;)

[warmwarmerdisco]

excellent video

[ldopreufh]

Any guitarist who really knows how to play will tell ya: it dont' get any better than this.

[birdlivesforever]

i think wes likes the drummer.

[yoursweatersux]

he's so good it actually makes me sick.

makes me feel like i'm holding nothing but a melody-less wooden plank in my hands when i grab my tele

[mjazzguitar]

@yoursweatersux

I hear ya. It's human nature to compare yourself to others. Sometimes you feel like giving up, then just play something that sounds nice, can just be a cool progression.

OTOH Some of the stuff nowadays sounds like all technique & speed, but no soul or melody.

[arbshredder]

man, that is groove.... fellas, that is how it is done...

[thevgmk1]

Hi

Is the THE Ronnie Scott on T Sax?

It's great to see a rehearsal and how easy Wes makes it look.

[getuliosilvapaiva]

Wes ao cair da tarde!!!

[14nitetripper]

Awesome!!!

[comateensnyc]

Holy mackerel this is awesome......

[sailorguyli]

As Ive posted,,being an old sailor I saw Wes live at Half Note in the 60s. awesome

Its great to have this here to enjoy

Thanks to the poster

[WesMontgomeryBook]

Great music! Interesting arranging choice to not use Wes' usual blowing changes for the solo. Instead, they stick with the same chords as for the melody.

So great to hear Wes here -- he's killing it, as always.

[TheStickpresnas]

amazing!!

[sparkyization]

bumpin' ...

[mrgone78]

1:37 - rhythmically, that idea totally caught me by surprise. Fantastic.

[phenixdagemini]

Wes is always a "BREATH OF FRESH AIR" after watching and hearing so many "cliche" jazz guitar players on YOUTUBE........listen to how loose his solos always sound......SWINGIN' MAN....SWINGIN'

[diegoescolochog]

@phenixdagemini

I would love if you could tell me what defines a "cliche" jazz guitar player.

Just for knowledge... :)

[phenixdagemini]

Listen to early Wes and you'll hear,that is if you're familiar with other jazz artist!Then he developed his own thing.Listen to Mark Whitfields first recording,then listen to his latest....he didn't develop.But listen to Russell Malone's first recording and then listen to his later stuff..very developed.

There are "cliches" in the genre but when you get a group ofguys that copy every lick note for note.

Uncliche = Wes, Grant, Jim Hall, Gabor..etc Cliche = All the guys that regurgate these guys

[phenixdagemini]

@phenixdagemini

This reply for diegoscolochog

[jazz1bro]

@phenixdagemini

interesting observations. Just read where a guy after suffering a concussion can suddenly play piano as though playing for years. Some folks learn how to not play like a machine. I met a guy who doesn't own a piano who can play anything Art Tatum has played by memory. Doesn't read music at all. But he has not developed his own signature sound which is not easy to do for most of us. I'm glad that everything isn't easily bought or stolen so to speak!

[phenixdagemini]

@diegoescolochog

See my comment above.Sorry still learning how to use this thing(lol)

[karitea]

Those guys made my day. How sweet it is !!!

[9mej]

wes is flying high and enjoying him self what could be beter

[furyofbongos]

The 4 saxes! Lush swank!

[markymarcus1]

I wish Wes was still with us, I would love to hear what he'd come up with in this day.

[godofthesunn]

As much as I would to see that too.. Wes would be far to old now to play anything.. he died at 45 in 65 or 68

[willwelsh816]

bb king was 43 in 65, and he can still play his ass off, so I guess Wes would be in his 80s now if he was alive. I'm sure he'd still be playing.

[wescoastblues]

Wes was the Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

[Sopranoguitar]

I love the last chord tremolo strum, finally he had to use his index finger to make it work..can't be done by thumb.

[twinkietime103]

i just dont understand how he does it.

[ddecto]

he has a hitch-hiker's thumb

[emmoiv]

I guess he had the ears/brains/feel . . . and the thumb.

[4thesonsofkorah]

Wes Montgomery was self taught and the way he strums is amazing.

[threedanman]

That was fun, he really sounded great but most of all: He has so much fun playing.......

[zweiosterei]

I spy with my little eye

a genius with his guitar.

[motreby]

The one and only.....every jazz guyitarist wishes could sound like him....Wes you are for ever and ever...

[taketimeout2]

@motreby

and ever,

( NEVER forget the last ever...)

Ever.

OK?

[MOGLIDER]

Sounds better than ever after all the years!