Artist page · 04/07/2026

Wes Montgomery

IndianapolisBorn in 1923Bebop20 vinyl albums
Wes Montgomery, born in Indianapolis in 1923, was a pioneering American jazz guitarist influential in bebop, hard bop, and soul jazz styles active mainly in the 1950s and 1960s.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
20Albums on Vinyles.com
2101Discogs releases
829kLast.fm listeners

About

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.

The NDR Hamburg Studio RecordingsJazzline Classics · 2021
2021
The NDR Hamburg Studio Recordings
CD, Album, Blu-ray
Studio
Back On Indiana Avenue (The Carroll DeCamp Recordings)Resonance Records · 2019
2019
Back On Indiana Avenue (The Carroll DeCamp Recordings)
CD, Album
Studio
Smokin' In Seattle Live At The PenthouseResonance Records · 2017
2017
Smokin' In Seattle Live At The Penthouse
CD, Album
Live
One Night In IndyResonance Records · 2015
2015
One Night In Indy
Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered
Studio
Navy SwingPJL · 2004
2004
Navy Swing
CD, Album, Mono
Studio
Body And Soul (Recorded Live At Ronnie Scott's Club)Ronnie Scott's Jazz House · 1996
1996
Body And Soul (Recorded Live At Ronnie Scott's Club)
CD, Album
Live
Live In EuropeMusica Jazz · 1992
1992
Live In Europe
CD, Album
Live
Smokin' At The Half Note Vol. 2Verve Records · 1988
1988
Smokin' At The Half Note Vol. 2
CD, Album, Remastered
Studio
Straight, No ChaserBandstand · 1988
1988
Straight, No Chaser
CD, Album
Studio
Born To Be BlueRiverside Records · 1983
1983
Born To Be Blue
Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue
Studio
Besame MuchoRiverside Records · 1983
1983
Besame Mucho
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
The Paris SessionBYG Records · 1975
1975
The Paris Session
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Solitude Part 2BYG Records · 1973
1973
Solitude Part 2
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Solitude Part 1BYG Records · 1973
1973
Solitude Part 1
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Just Walkin'Verve Records · 1971
1971
Just Walkin'
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Further Adventures Of Jimmy And WesVerve Records · 1969
1969
Further Adventures Of Jimmy And Wes
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Willow Weep For MeVerve Records · 1969
1969
Willow Weep For Me
Vinyl, LP, Album, Promo
Studio
Road SongA&M Records · 1968
1968
Road Song
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Down Here On The GroundA&M Records · 1968
1968
Down Here On The Ground
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
California DreamingVerve Records · 1967
1967
California Dreaming
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Jimmy & Wes (The Dynamic Duo)Verve Records · 1967
1967
Jimmy & Wes (The Dynamic Duo)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
A Day In The LifeA&M Records · 1967
1967
A Day In The Life
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Goin' Out Of My HeadVerve Records · 1966
1966
Goin' Out Of My Head
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
TequilaVerve Records · 1966
1966
Tequila
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Movin' WesVerve Records · 1965
1965
Movin' Wes
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Bumpin'Verve Records · 1965
1965
Bumpin'
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Smokin' At The Half NoteVerve Records · 1965
1965
Smokin' At The Half Note
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Go!Fontana · 1964
1964
Go!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Boss GuitarRiverside Records · 1963
1963
Boss Guitar
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Fusion!Riverside Records · 1963
1963
Fusion!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Bags Meets Wes!Riverside Records · 1962
1962
Bags Meets Wes!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Full HouseRiverside Records · 1962
1962
Full House
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Movin' AlongRiverside Records · 1961
1961
Movin' Along
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
So Much Guitar!Riverside Records · 1961
1961
So Much Guitar!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes MontgomeryRiverside Records · 1960
1960
The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
MontgomerylandPacific Jazz · 1960
1960
Montgomeryland
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Wes Montgomery's career.

01
Days of Wine and Roses
Days of Wine and Roses
Boss Guitar · 1963
02
In Your Own Sweet Way
·
03
A Day In The Life
·
04
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
·
05
While We're Young
·
06
Four On Six
Four On Six
Smokin' At The Half Note · 1965
07
Airegin
·
08
West Coast Blues
·

The essentials

The 3 Wes Montgomery albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1960
Vinyl LP Album Mono
The Incredible Jazz Guitar

Shows Wes Montgomery's signature guitar style; a milestone in post-bop jazz guitar with 8 tracks blending bebop and soul.

8 tracksMonoRiverside Records1960 original pressing
Discover the album
#2 · 1965
Vinyl LP Album Stereo
Smokin' At The Half Note

A celebrated live album capturing Wes at his peak, with extended tracks like 'No Blues' and 'Four On Six' that showcase his improvisational skill.

5 tracksStereoVerve RecordsOriginal 1965 US pressing
Discover the album
#3 · 1962
Vinyl LP Album Mono
Full House

Live-recorded album with a hard bop edge, featuring long-form tracks and interplay with prominent band members, encapsulating Montgomery’s dynamic range.

6 tracksMonoRiverside Records1962 original Dutch pressing
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Wes Montgomery

Artists who share part of Wes Montgomery's musical DNA.

Grant Green
Grant Green
Joe Pass
Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell
Pat Martino
Jim Hall
Tal Farlow
Wes Montgomery Trio
Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery

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
01Live Album

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.

1962Netherlands
02Pressing

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.

1965US
03Studio Album

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.

1963US
His performances combined technical skill with emotional depth, influencing jazz guitarists for decades.
— Jazz Commentary

Records by Wes Montgomery

See all
The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery - Front Cover

The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
From $24.99 1 offer
Full House - Front Cover Full House - Back Cover

Full House

Wes Montgomery
Free Jazz Jazz/Blues
CONCORD RECORDS
From $37.99 1 offer
Bumpin’ - Front Cover Bumpin’ - Back Cover

Bumpin’

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $39.99 1 offer
Boss Guitar - Front Cover

Boss Guitar

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
CONCORD RECORDS
From $27.99 2 offers
The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery - Front Cover

The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery
Free Jazz Jazz/Blues
CONCORD RECORDS
From $38.98 1 offer
WES MONTGOMERY & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY - THE POLL WINNERS - Front Cover WES MONTGOMERY & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY - THE POLL WINNERS - Back Cover

WES MONTGOMERY & CANNONBALL ADDERLEY - THE POLL WINNERS

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
#N/A
View details
So Much Guitar! - Front Cover

So Much Guitar!

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
From $23.99 1 offer
The Complete Full House Recordings - Front Cover

The Complete Full House Recordings

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
CONCORD RECORDS
From $64.12 1 offer
Montgomeryland - Front Cover

Montgomeryland

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
View details
Groove Yard - Front Cover

Groove Yard

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
From $23.47 2 offers
The Wes Montgomery Trio - A Dynamic New Sound - Front Cover

The Wes Montgomery Trio - A Dynamic New Sound

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
View details
The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery - Front Cover

The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Pain
From $22.99 1 offer
Full House - Vinyle Moutarde - Front Cover

Full House - Vinyle Moutarde

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Pain
View details
Maxiumum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recording - Front Cover

Maxiumum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recording

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
RESONANCE RECORDS
From $55.71 2 offers
INCREDIBLE JAZZ GUITAR/VINYLE BLEU AUDIOPHILE 180GR - Front Cover

INCREDIBLE JAZZ GUITAR/180g Audiophile Blue Vinyl

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
20TH CENTURY MASTERWORKS
View details
Smokin' At The Half Note - Front Cover

Smokin' At The Half Note

Wes Montgomery
Free Jazz Jazz/Blues
Zest
From $30.39 1 offer
A DAY IN THE LIFE/LIMITED 180 GR GATEFOLD - Front Cover

A DAY IN THE LIFE/LIMITED 180g Gatefold

Wes Montgomery
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
A&M
View details
The Incredible Jazz Guitar + 1 Bonus Track! - Front Cover

The Incredible Jazz Guitar + 1 Bonus Track!

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
View details
Boss Guitar - Front Cover

Boss Guitar

Wes Montgomery
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
View details
The Incredible Jazz Guitar - Front Cover

The Incredible Jazz Guitar

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
From $22.99 1 offer
MOVIN ALONG/MONTGOMERY - Front Cover

MOVIN ALONG/MONTGOMERY

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Jazz Images
View details
GROOVE YARD/MONTGOMERY - Front Cover

GROOVE YARD/MONTGOMERY

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Jazz Pictures
View details
SO Much Guitar ! - Front Cover

SO Much Guitar !

Wes Montgomery
Blues Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
View details
INCREDIBLE JAZZ GUITAR - Front Cover

INCREDIBLE JAZZ GUITAR

Wes Montgomery
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Jazz Images
View details

CDs by Wes Montgomery

Search all Wes Montgomery CDs
Groove Yard (1961) - Front Cover Groove Yard (1961) - Front Cover

Groove Yard (1961)

Wes Montgomery
Free Jazz Jazz/Blues
CD INTERMUSIC
View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

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.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026