In the realm of chordal instruments, we often look to pianists as the true champions of harmony. However, Wes Montgomery’s guitar playing and harmonic inventiveness were on par with any pianist of 1950s and 60s jazz. His stylistic approach was defined by inventive harmonic substitutions, his tasteful use of octaves, and his tendency to use his right thumb to strike the strings. The resulting tone had an unmistakable warmth and roundness that made his soulful sound immediately recognizable.