Blue Monk – 1965
Wes Montgomery
A relaxed and witty version of the Monk tune
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In 1965, shortly before he began to have great commercial success in the U.S., guitarist Wes Montgomery toured Europe.
At a televised session in Hamburg, Germany, Montgomery had an opportunity to play with some notable musicians from several countries.
On “Blue Monk,” tenor-saxophonist Johnny Griffin takes an expressive solo and Montgomery (who was clearly enjoying himself) has a good spot before French pianist Martial Solal creates a dazzling improvisation.
Also participating in this relaxed performance are bassist Michel Gaudry and drummer Ronnie Stephenson.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald