Wes Montgomery's debut showcased his unique octave-playing style and fluid improvisations, instantly establishing him as a major jazz guitarist. It stands as a definitive statement of West Coast cool jazz.
- The album was recorded on January 26-28, 1960, at Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. It features Montgomery alongside his brothers Buddy and Monk on piano and bass, respectively, with Tony$"$"$sani on drums. The album was initially released on the Riverside label, not RevOla.
- The track "West Coast Blues" became one of Montgomery's signature tunes.
- Upon its release, the album was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, helping to broaden the audience for jazz guitar.
Wes Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist known for his distinctive thumb technique and octave-spanning sound. This 1960 debut album arrived as bebop was giving way to more accessible forms of jazz.
Tracklist
