Full House

Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Wes Montgomery (electric guitar), Wynton Kelly (piano), Paul Chambers (double bass) and Jimmy Cobb (drums). From the album Full House (1962).

Wes Montgomery recorded this album live in Berckley (California) in 1962 with the swinging trio of Winton Kelly (Miles Davis’s rhythm section at the time) and tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin. He never liked recording studios. The jazz guitar as the main instrument in a band has always been viewed with some skepticism due to its excessive dependence on electrical amplification.

However, in this case Montgomery makes her a surprising traveling companion. His virtuosity was amazing, so he is still very much appreciated today. In addition, Kelly demonstrates his delicate touch throughout the album, whether he is alone or accompanying, while filling the themes with colorful details. Griffith’s solos are acrobatic and exciting, which awakens the guitarist’s audacity.

After a concise introduction, the group exposes the theme at medium tempo. The first one to make his solo is Montgomery putting all his effort into it. His phrases are at the same time complicated, but easy to understand. Then he continues with his solo using octaves, which is dynamic and coherent. Griffin follows him with a more daring and hasty speech built on suggestive and unexpected phrases. Next comes Kelly playing in an intelligent and controlled way, adding some chords at the end. To conclude, the group re-exposes the theme.