Wes Montgomery was one of the most innovative and influential jazz guitarists of the 20th century, known for his unique style of playing that combined elements of bebop, blues, and soul. Montgomery’s melodic, smooth playing and impeccable technique have inspired generations of musicians, and his influence can be heard in countless jazz guitarists to this day. With a career that spanned over two decades, Montgomery released a large number of albums and recorded numerous tracks, many of which have become classics of the genre.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 of the best Wes Montgomery songs of all time, from his early recordings as a sideman to his later work as a leader. These tracks showcase Montgomery’s unparalleled musicianship, highlighting his technical proficiency, inventive solos, and soulful playing style. From the catchy grooves of “Bumpin'” to the sophisticated harmonies of “West Coast Blues,” these songs serve as a testament to Montgomery’s enduring legacy as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time.
1. Bumpin’ on Sunset
“Bumpin’ on Sunset” is a classic jazz instrumental by legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery, originally released in 1966. The track showcases Montgomery’s signature style of smooth, melodic guitar playing, backed by a tight rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. The song begins with a catchy, upbeat riff that sets the tone for the rest of the piece, before settling into a relaxed groove that allows Montgomery’s improvisational skills to shine through.
The melody is simple yet infectious, with memorable hooks that stay with the listener long after the song has ended. “Bumpin’ on Sunset” is a timeless piece of jazz music that perfectly captures the essence of Wes Montgomery’s innovative and influential guitar playing.
2. Four on Six
“Four on Six” is a jazz standard composed by Wes Montgomery, and is one of his most well-known instrumental tracks. The song, released in 1960, is characterized by Montgomery’s distinctive guitar playing, which blends elements of bebop, blues, and swing to create a unique sound that was ahead of its time.
The track features a memorable opening riff, followed by a lively melody that showcases Montgomery’s impressive finger work and improvisational skills. The rhythm section, consisting of piano, bass, and drums, provides a solid foundation for Montgomery’s guitar playing, and the resulting interplay between the instruments creates a sense of energy and excitement that is palpable. “Four on Six” has become a jazz standard, and is widely regarded as one of Montgomery’s finest compositions, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all time.
3. Twisted Blues
“Twisted Blues” is a classic instrumental track by jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, released in 1965. The song showcases Montgomery’s unique style of playing, which blends elements of blues, bebop, and swing to create a sound that is both sophisticated and accessible.
The track features a catchy, bluesy melody that is instantly recognizable, and Montgomery’s signature guitar tone is on full display, with his precise finger work and inventive improvisations taking center stage. The rhythm section, consisting of piano, bass, and drums, provides a solid foundation for Montgomery’s playing, and the resulting interplay between the instruments is both dynamic and engaging. “Twisted Blues” is a testament to Montgomery’s virtuosity and creativity as a musician, and remains a beloved piece of jazz music to this day.
4. West Coast Blues
“West Coast Blues” is a classic jazz instrumental track by legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery, originally released in 1960. The song features Montgomery’s signature style of smooth, melodic guitar playing, backed by a tight rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. The track begins with a gentle, bluesy introduction that sets the mood for the rest of the piece, before transitioning into a swinging, upbeat melody that showcases Montgomery’s impressive finger work and improvisational skills.
The rhythm section provides a solid foundation for Montgomery’s guitar playing, with the piano adding a touch of sophistication to the overall sound. “West Coast Blues” is a timeless piece of jazz music that perfectly captures the essence of Montgomery’s innovative and influential guitar playing, and remains a beloved piece of music among jazz fans to this day.
5. Bumpin’
“Bumpin'” is a jazz instrumental track by the renowned guitarist Wes Montgomery, originally released in 1965. The song features Montgomery’s signature style of smooth, melodic guitar playing, backed by a tight rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. The track starts with a catchy, upbeat riff that sets the tone for the rest of the piece, before transitioning into a relaxed, groove-driven melody that allows Montgomery’s improvisational skills to shine through.
The rhythm section provides a solid foundation for Montgomery’s guitar playing, with the piano and bass adding depth and texture to the overall sound. “Bumpin'” is a classic piece of jazz music that showcases Montgomery’s innovative and influential guitar playing, and remains a popular and much-loved track among jazz fans to this day.
6. Mr. Walker
“Mr. Walker” is a jazz instrumental track by the legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery, originally released in 1968. The song features Montgomery’s signature style of smooth, melodic guitar playing, backed by a tight rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. The track starts with a memorable, upbeat melody that sets the tone for the rest of the piece, before transitioning into a swinging, bluesy section that showcases Montgomery’s impressive improvisational skills.
The rhythm section provides a solid foundation for Montgomery’s guitar playing, with the piano and bass adding depth and texture to the overall sound. “Mr. Walker” is a classic piece of jazz music that perfectly captures the essence of Montgomery’s innovative and influential guitar playing, and remains a beloved track among jazz fans to this day.
7. Jingles
“Jingles” is a classic jazz instrumental track by the iconic guitarist Wes Montgomery, originally released in 1965. The song features Montgomery’s signature style of smooth, melodic guitar playing, backed by a tight rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. The track starts with a catchy, upbeat riff that sets the tone for the rest of the piece, before transitioning into a swinging, uptempo melody that showcases Montgomery’s impressive finger work and improvisational skills. The rhythm section provides a solid foundation for Montgomery’s guitar playing, with the piano adding a touch of sophistication to the overall sound. “Jingles” is a timeless piece of jazz music that perfectly captures the essence of Montgomery’s innovative and influential guitar playing, and remains a beloved track among jazz fans to this day.
8. Wes’ Tune
“Wes’ Tune” is a classic jazz instrumental track by the renowned guitarist Wes Montgomery, originally released in 1960. The song features Montgomery’s signature style of smooth, melodic guitar playing, backed by a tight rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums.
The track starts with a gentle, understated melody that gradually builds in intensity as it progresses, allowing Montgomery’s impressive improvisational skills to take center stage. The rhythm section provides a solid foundation for Montgomery’s guitar playing, with the piano and bass adding depth and texture to the overall sound.
“Wes’ Tune” is a timeless piece of jazz music that perfectly captures the essence of Montgomery’s innovative and influential guitar playing, and remains a beloved track among jazz fans to this day.
9. OGD feat. Jimmy Smith
“OGD” is a jazz instrumental track by the legendary guitarist Wes Montgomery, featuring the acclaimed organist Jimmy Smith, originally released in 1966. The song is a classic example of the soul jazz genre, with a funky, groove-driven rhythm section featuring Smith’s distinctive Hammond B3 organ playing and Montgomery’s smooth, melodic guitar lines.
The track starts with a catchy, upbeat riff that sets the tone for the rest of the piece, before transitioning into a swinging, bluesy section that showcases both Montgomery’s and Smith’s impressive improvisational skills. The interplay between the two musicians is dynamic and engaging, with each taking turns to shine while the rhythm section provides a solid foundation.
“OGD” is a timeless piece of jazz music that perfectly captures the essence of Montgomery’s and Smith’s innovative and influential playing, and remains a beloved track among jazz fans to this day.
10. A Day in the Life
“A Day in the Life” is a jazz instrumental track by the iconic guitarist Wes Montgomery, featuring the acclaimed organist Jimmy Smith, originally released in 1967. The song is a soulful, groove-driven piece that seamlessly blends together elements of jazz, blues, and funk.
Smith’s distinctive Hammond B3 organ playing provides a rich, textured background for Montgomery’s smooth, melodic guitar lines, while the tight rhythm section of bass and drums keeps the groove steady throughout. The track builds in intensity as it progresses, with Montgomery and Smith engaging in some dynamic and engaging call-and-response interplay that showcases their impressive improvisational skills.
“A Day in the Life” is a timeless piece of jazz music that perfectly captures the essence of Montgomery’s and Smith’s innovative and influential playing, and remains a beloved track among jazz fans to this day.
Simon Robinson is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
