Wes’ Words to a 16-Year-Old Play Out Today

Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery.

Since the age of 16, I’ve been fascinated by the Jazz Guitar. I can’t tell you why I didn’t want to be a Rock star or the lead guitar player in a famous Rock, Blues or Country band.

Fame held no appeal to me nor did the promise of money. I eventually began to understand what aesthetics were and why creating art was central to my identity.

My first influence was Wes Montgomery. I saw him perform at Pep’s Musical Bar on North Broad Street in Philadelphia when I was a teenager. Not only did I watch and listen to him but I also had the opportunity to meet him. Wes himself taught me his famous octave technique.

He also encouraged me to study guitar and music. He said: “Don’t do what I did. I couldn’t find a teacher in those days. I had to ‘teach’ myself.”

I think his words were significant in my determination to study the guitar and ultimately to teach it.