"The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery"

That title really sums up tonight's Jazz Feature. This was Wes Montgomery's second album for Riverside's head honcho Orrin Keepnews and the one that really put Wes on the national Jazz map. The first was excellent with Wes' working organ-based group from his home town of Indianapolis but this was different. Orrin Keepnews and Wes put their heads together and came up with an all-star New York based band made up of established Jazz stars. They are: pianist Tommy Flanagan, bass great Percy Heath and Percy's younger brother Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums. The album sold exceedingly well and got airplay all over the US and Canada. The critics lauded the album and everyone asked....where did this guy come from? Wes had been working in his home town of Indianapolis and San Francisco for years honing his skills so by the time this album was made in January of 1960, he was more than ready. So this is it....the date that brought Mr. Montgomery to the fore as one of the most loved and influential Jazz guitarists of all time. "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery is no exaggeration!