Wes Montgomery & Wynton Kelly Trio - Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings (2023)

Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings is the first official release of the complete previously unissued recordings from jazz guitar giant Wes Montgomery with the Wynton Kelly Trio at the famed Half Note jazz club in New York City in 1965 with drummer Jimmy Cobb and bassists Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Herman Wright and Larry Ridley. Including over 2 hours from the original radio broadcasts with host Alan Grant, the deluxe 2-CD set is mastered by Matthew Lutthans and comes with a multi-page booklet containing previously unpublished photos taken at the Half Note by Raymond Ross; plus a new essay from acclaimed journalist and author Bill Milkowski; interviews with jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter, who both recorded with Wes; guitar icons Bill Frisell and Mike Stern; plus bassist Marcus Miller, who is Wynton Kelly’s cousin! 2023 marks Wes Montgomery’s Centennial (born March 6, 1923), and this is Resonance’s 7th release of Wes Montgomery recordings in cooperation with the estate. Now Wes Montgomery fans can hear the rest of the music from the Half Note that was only broadcast on the radio nearly 60 years ago.

Wes Montgomery – guitar
Wynton Kelly – piano
Jimmy Cobb – drums
*Bass players are identified for each set

Tracks 1-3 recorded at the Half Note jazz club in New York, NY on September 24, 1965 * Paul Chambers-Bass

Tracks 4-6 recorded at the Half Note jazz club in New York, NY on November 5, 1965 * Ron Carter-Bass

Tracks 7-9 recorded at the Half Note jazz club in New York, NY on November 12, 1965 * Larry Ridley-Bass

Tracks 10-12 recorded at the Half Note jazz club in New York, NY on November 19, 1965 * Herman Wright-Bass

Tracks 13-17 recorded at the Half Note jazz club in New York, NY in late 1965 *Larry Ridley-Bass