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Kristen R. Bromley Quartet: Wes 101
ByKristen Bromley
guitar
Wes Montgomery
guitar1923 - 1968
Bromley replaces the usual piano with organist
Melanie Shore
organ, Hammond B3
David Ian Baker
bassb.1993
While there is no hint of it here, the mere fact that Bromley is able to play the guitar at all is near-miraculous. Nine years ago, in 2016, Bromley's left arm was severely broken and the radial nerve crushed. At the time, she was told she might someday regain limited use of her arm and hand. Bromley accepted the decision and began working to reverse it. The result of her work is evident on Wes 101, wherein Bromley plays as though that horrific setback had never happened.
Once back in the game, Bromley honed her skills until she was not only able to record a tribute to one of the legendary guitarists in jazz history, but to do it in a way that paralleled his genius as both player and composer. Bromley uses Montgomery's "Full House" as the basis for her "House of Fire," borrows from his "West Coast Blues" for "Indy Blues," and hangs the album's title track on chord progressions from Montgomery's "Four on Six."
Bromley's ballad "Cherished Moments" traces the standard "Misty," which Montgomery performed often, while "Wahoo!" began life as a salute to his "Cariba" before moving to other terrain. Bromley's opening theme, "Bring It On," and "Swing It for the Maestro," which follows, are high-spirited romps not written with anything expressly Montgomery in mind. The music is consistently sharp and engaging, the quartet in lock-step on every measure. Bromley is a splendid soloist in the Montgomery tradition, while Shore not only keeps pace but adds a few handsome wrinkles of her own.
Fans of guitar in general, and Wes Montgomery in particular, should return this admirable salute with praise and enthusiasm. ">
Track Listing
Bring It On; Swing It for the Maestro; Wes 101; Cherished Moments; House of Fire; Wahoo!; Indy Blues.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Wes 101 | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Self Produced
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