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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

Review

AllMusic rating:

AllMusic users:
(562 votes)

Read the AllMusic.com review
Artist: Wes Montgomery

Label: WaxTime

Format: LP

Units: 1

Country: Europe

Genre: Jazz

Style: Hard Bop
A1 Airegin
A2 D-Natural Blues
A3 Polka Dots And Moonbeams
A4 Four On Six
B1 West Coast Blues
B2 In Your Own Sweet Way
B3 Mister Walker
B4 Gone With The Wind

Wes Montgomery Vinyl Records

Wes Montgomery – The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery - The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery (OJC)