Wes Montgomery

Latest about Wes Montgomery

George Benson performs on stage in March 1977.
George Benson on fame, freedom — and why jazz only forgives you when you’re broke

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

"People love us when we’re starving,” noted Benson, who said performing may not pay, but it lets musicians stay true to their musical soul

Guitarists
Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery poses for a Riverside Records publicty still circa 1960.
The late guitar ace who spurned the jazz world, climbed the pop charts and lived in terror of taking a solo

By Christopher Scapelliti Last updated

Wes Montgomery revealed the insecurities that forced his retreat from jazz, even as he was celebrated as a giant of jazz

Guitars
Molly Miller
“I get hired to be me, instead of those awkward moments where they say, ‘Can you sound like XYZ?’” Molly Miller on balancing jazz and Jason Mraz

By Jeff Jacobson Published

Miller revels in her jazz chops on new album The Battle of Hotspur. But as this doctor of musical arts explains, it’s just one facet of her myriad guitar talents

Music
The first L-5CES guitars were shipped in late 1951 with dual P-90s. Each pickup of the L-5CES features independent volume and tone controls in addition to a three-way selector switch
The History of the Gibson L-5

By Rod Brakes Published

As the L-5 celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, we take a look back at the evolution of Gibson’s seminal f-hole jazzbox with archtop historian Thomas Van Hoose and examine how this watershed design set benchmarks in guitar building

Guitars
The Wes Montgomery Trio 'A Dynamic New Sound' album artwork
Listen to ‘A Dynamic New Sound’ – the Album That Introduced the Genius of Jazz Guitar Innovator Wes Montgomery to the World

By Jim Campilongo Published

This groundbreaking LP marked his debut as a leader and represented a giant step forward in the evolution of the electric guitar

Music
Pasquale Grasso
“I Was Always More Influenced by Horn Players and Piano Players”: Jazz Star Pasquale Grasso Reveals His Unique Inspirations

By Bill Milkowski Published

One of the most gifted and musical jazz guitarists of today takes inspiration not from his six-string brethren but from the genre’s legendary ivory ticklers

Guitarists
Joey Santiago performs wtih Pixies, 2019
“You Hear These Guys Noodling Around and Playing Fast. It’s Like Listening To Somebody Type”: Joey Santiago Makes It Clear Why He Hates Guitar Solos.

By Joe Bosso Last updated

The Pixies’ secret weapon on finding the band’s pioneering alt-rock sound.

Guitarists
Joey Santiago, 2004
Joey Santiago Picks Five Career-Defining Cuts From the Pixies Catalog

By Joe Bosso Last updated

He’s the first to admit that his playing style probably wouldn’t fit most other outfits – and that’s just the way he likes it!

Guitarists
Scott Metzger holds his 1955 Martin 000-18 acoustic guitar
Jam-Jazz Cat Scott Metzger Steps Out With New Album ‘Too Close To Reason’ Armed With a Vintage Martin

By Jimmy Leslie Published

This intimate solo debut highlights the unique charms of a 1955 Martin 000-18.

Albums, Singles & New Releases
Eric Johnson, 2015
Five of Eric Johnson’s Favorite Guitar Solos

By Guitar Player Staff Published

From Wes Montgomery to Louis Shelton the Grammy Award winner reveals his favorite under-the-radar gems.

Guitarists
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