Shows Wes Montgomery's signature guitar style; a milestone in post-bop jazz guitar with 8 tracks blending bebop and soul.
Artist page · 04/07/2026
Wes Montgomery
About
Wes Montgomery, Master of jazz guitar from Indianapolis with a career in the 1950s-60s.
Over 20 vinyl albums in bebop and hard bop; original 1960s pressings prized by collectors.
Wes Montgomery's guitar work built a bridge between bebop and soul jazz, renowned for his use of octave technique and rich melodic lines. Although he was largely self-taught, Montgomery developed a distinctive style that attracted collaborations with leading jazz figures and a dedicated following. His vinyl discography includes studio albums, live recordings, and compilations spanning labels like Riverside, Verve, and A&M.
Montgomery's demanding daily routine supporting a large family while working in a factory influenced the heartfelt intensity of his music. His catalog includes essential titles released originally in the early 1960s that remain sought after on vinyl, with contemporary reissues preserving his legacy for new audiences.
Discography
Wes Montgomery — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Jazzline Classics · 2021
Resonance Records · 2019
Resonance Records · 2017
Resonance Records · 2015
PJL · 2004
Ronnie Scott's Jazz House · 1996
Musica Jazz · 1992
Verve Records · 1988
Bandstand · 1988
Riverside Records · 1983
Riverside Records · 1983
BYG Records · 1975
BYG Records · 1973
BYG Records · 1973
Verve Records · 1971
Verve Records · 1969
Verve Records · 1969
A&M Records · 1968
A&M Records · 1968
Verve Records · 1967
Verve Records · 1967
A&M Records · 1967
Verve Records · 1966
Verve Records · 1966
Verve Records · 1965
Verve Records · 1965
Verve Records · 1965
Fontana · 1964
Riverside Records · 1963
Riverside Records · 1963
Riverside Records · 1962
Riverside Records · 1962
Riverside Records · 1961
Riverside Records · 1961
Riverside Records · 1960
Pacific Jazz · 1960Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Wes Montgomery's career.


The essentials
The 3 Wes Montgomery albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A celebrated live album capturing Wes at his peak, with extended tracks like 'No Blues' and 'Four On Six' that showcase his improvisational skill.
Live-recorded album with a hard bop edge, featuring long-form tracks and interplay with prominent band members, encapsulating Montgomery’s dynamic range.
Go further
Artists similar to Wes Montgomery
Artists who share part of Wes Montgomery's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Wes Montgomery
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
Wes Montgomery was largely self-taught and developed his unique style through imitation and experimentation.— Biography
Full House live recording
Recorded in 1962, this album was released on Riverside Records featuring Montgomery's full band interplay and live energy captured in six extended tracks.
Original US stereo pressing of Smokin' At The Half Note
The 1965 US release by Verve (cat. no. V6-8633) is highly regarded and sought after, with a median vinyl price near 12.75 to 23.19 euros depending on condition and seller.
Boss Guitar on Riverside Records
Released in 1963, the album showcases Montgomery's hard bop approach with tracks like 'Besame Mucho' and 'Canadian Sunset' on vinyl in both mono and stereo formats.
His performances combined technical skill with emotional depth, influencing jazz guitarists for decades.— Jazz Commentary
Records by Wes Montgomery
See allCDs by Wes Montgomery
Search all Wes Montgomery CDsFAQ
FAQ: Wes Montgomery on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was Wes Montgomery and what style of guitar did he play?
Wes Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist known for his bebop and hard bop styles, using techniques like octave playing and chord melodies.
Which Wes Montgomery albums are essential for vinyl collectors?
Key albums include The Incredible Jazz Guitar (1960), Smokin' At The Half Note (1965), and Full House (1962). Original pressings are highly prized.
What should I look for when buying Wes Montgomery vinyl records in France?
Check the pressing country and label for originals versus reissues. French sellers often have European or US pressings with varied audio quality and pricing.
Are there original Wes Montgomery vinyl pressings released in the Netherlands?
Yes, for example the stereo and mono versions of Full House were originally pressed and released in the Netherlands in 1962.
What is the price range for original Wes Montgomery vinyl albums?
Prices vary by title and condition but can range from around 3.45 euros for some albums up to 40 euros or more for rare originals like Full House.
Did Wes Montgomery record any live albums on vinyl?
Yes, notable live albums include Smokin' At The Half Note (1965) and Full House (1962) that capture his improvisational prowess.
Which labels released Wes Montgomery's important vinyl albums in the 1960s?
Key labels include Riverside Records, Verve Records, and A&M Records, each associated with classic studio and live albums.
How do I identify a mono versus stereo pressing of Wes Montgomery records?
Mono and stereo pressings can differ in catalogue numbers and label markings; many original 1960s albums exist in both formats with distinct audio character.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.


