Home >> Wes Montgomery >> Smokin' at the Half Note [Live]
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Wes Montgomery brought the art of the electric guitar to new heights in
the 1950s and 1960s before his untimely death at 43. His vaulting style
employed octaves much as his main influence, Charlie Christian, did in the
Benny Goodman Sextet. Montgomery's crowd-pleasing facility with the fret
board was best employed in live performance when he could stretch out and
really be heard. Smokin' is a thoroughly satisfying live album recorded
in 1965 and 1966 at the New York nightclub, with co-leader Wynton Kelly
and his trio – Kelly on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on
drums. Montgomery and Kelly are in perfect sync here, especially on “No
Blues” and “If You Could See Me Now.”
– John Swenson
Who Was Wynton Kelly?
A fundamentally unobstrusive pianist who liked above all to swing, Wynton
Kelly nevertheless became many people's ideal pianist during hte 60s. A
solid mainstream player grounded in the blues, he could make anything he
played bounce. New Orleans pianist Ellis Marsalis learned so much from him
he named his second son after him. Kelly replaced Bill Evans with Miles
Davis in 1959, which gave his international reputation a boost. An exceptional
accompanist, he made a number of fine trio albums in the 50s and 60s, and
died prematurely at age 39 in 1971.
Kelly played on the very famous Kind of Blue album, along with Bill Evans,
who had agreed to play on it as well. Miles wanted it to have a modal sound
to it as well as gospel flavorings, and Kelly was up to both.
Kelly stayed with Miles until 1963, when he was replaced by Herbie Hancock.
After four years with Miles he needed to get out on his own, to play something
besides Miles's tunes. He left Davis's group along with bassist Paul Chambers
and drummer Jimmy Cobb to form his own trio. It became one of the classic
rhythm sections of the 60s, hired by such players as Art Pepper, Cecil Payne
and Clark Terry.
Kelly died in Toronto April 12, 1971.
– Joel Simpson
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Wes Montgomery
Photos by Chuck Stewart |
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