Wes Montgomery – The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery

The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, released in 1960, is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz guitar albums ever recorded. Featuring pianist Tommy Flanagan and the Heath brothers, Percy and Albert “Tootie,” it captures Montgomery’s effortless mastery of melody, tone and rhythm. His originals such as Four on Six and West Coast Blues stand alongside lyrical renditions of standards like Polka Dots and Moonbeams, all showcasing his signature thumb-picked style, octave playing and warm, fluid sound. The album’s clarity, swing and emotion helped redefine what was possible for the guitar in jazz.

Montgomery’s ability to blend technical brilliance with soulful phrasing makes this record a touchstone for musicians and listeners alike. The interplay between the quartet feels natural and dynamic, balancing virtuosic improvisation with an understated elegance that keeps the focus on musical conversation. Decades later, The Incredible Jazz Guitar remains both a timeless statement and an essential reference point for modern jazz guitarists.

Reviews

“Almost entirely self-taught … Montgomery had developed a revolutionary new approach to the instrument … The Incredible Jazz Guitar burst onto the US scene in 1960 like a benign hurricane, and it still sounds like a gale almost 50 years later.” — All About Jazz

“Setting him apart from the rest, this recording established Montgomery as the most formidable modern guitarist of the era … Montgomery is clearly talented beyond convention, consistently brilliant, and indeed incredible … this recording … put him on the map.” — AllMusic

“Wes Montgomery’s The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery is a masterclass in jazz guitar playing … Montgomery delivers a set that is as technically brilliant as it is deeply expressive.” — Glide Magazine

“When originally reviewing the Incredible Jazz Guitar … Ira Gitler suggested … the album was ‘easy listening music with meaning’, giving it five stars … Montgomery did deserve the soubriquet of ‘incredible’.” — Jazz Journal