Name: Smokin' At The Half Note
Brand: Wes Montgomery

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

Universal Music GmbH

Total Cap

Format detail

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: No

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

2005-02-22

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

2103476

UPC / Barcode

75021034761

Artist

Wes Montgomery

Label EU

Verve

Genre EU

Jazz

Wes Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist known for his innovative techniques and unique musical style. Born on March 6, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana, he quickly gained recognition for his use of the thumb instead of a plectrum and his mastery of octaves in both melody and improvisation. Wes favored Gibson L5 guitars strung with heavy gauge flat wound strings. His highly original melodic and rhythmic imagination set him apart from other musicians of his time.

Wes Montgomery came from a talented musical family, being the brother of renowned pianist and vibraphonist Buddy Montgomery (1930–2009) and bassist Monk Montgomery (1921–1982). With their support and influence, Wes honed his skills to become one of the most influential guitarists in jazz history.

Inspired by artists such as Jim Hall, Grant Green, Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Charlie Christian, Herb Ellis, Bill Evans Trio among others; Wes Montgomery's music continues to captivate audiences even after his untimely death at the age of 45 due to a sudden heart attack on June 15th ,1968 in Indianapolis.

Verve Records, also known as Verve, is a multinational record label that was founded in 1956 by jazz impresario Norman Granz. The label originated from the consolidation of Granz's earlier labels, Norgran Records and Clef Records. In 1960, Verve was sold to MGM Records and became a subsidiary of the company. Throughout the 1960s, Verve expanded its music genres to include comedy, pop, R&B, rock, and folk music.

During this time, Verve had successful jazz recordings from artists such as Stan Getz, Kai Winding, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jimmy Smith under the direction of Creed Taylor. In 1972, MGM sold its record division to Polydor which brought Verve into the newly formed PolyGram family of record labels. As a result of this transition, Verve focused primarily on jazz reissues while other non-jazz releases were absorbed into Polydor.

In the late 1980s, PolyGram decided to revive Verve with both reissue programs and new artist signings. This revitalization led to strong sales for both new material and remastered classic recordings. With the merger of PolyGram and Vivendi Universal in 1999 creating Universal Music Group (UMG), Verve Records became part of The Verve Music Group alongside other influential labels such as Blue Note Records and Impulse! Records.

Newest Listed Items

A career highlight for the guitarist, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio during September 1966, this Creed Taylor-produced album was an artistic and commercial smash, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Jazz chart.LP - 180 Gram Vinyl with lacquering, mastered by the label from the original tapes. Original cover artwork.

Smokin' At The Half Note

Music EU