(Milt Jackson, vibes; Wes Montgomery, guitar; Wynton Kelly, piano; Sam Jones, bass; Philly Joe Jones, drums)
Part of the conditions that Milt Jackson set before signing a long-term contract with Riverside Records was that a co-lead session be set with the guitar great, Wes Montgomery. Orrin Keepnews, the co-owner of Riverside happily agreed to Jackson’s request and Bags Meets Wes is the result of that agreement.
Though both musicians were the same age (38) when this session was recorded in 1961, Jackson was far more experienced due to his extended stay with the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Montgomery was more the new wonder kid on the block. Their meeting here was seamless. Accompanying these two jazz titans is the dream Riverside rhythm section of Wynton Kelly, Sam Jones, and Philly Joe Jones.
Song selection is heavy on the 12-bar blues format, with SKJ, and Sam Sack. Harder charging are Benny Golson’s classic Stablemates, and Montgomery’s Jingles. However, the mellowness of Jackson’s vibes coupled with the fluid guitar lines of Montgomery make this co-led session more of a relaxed late night listening session than a horn-driven affair would have. Highly recommended!
– Jeff Krow
