John Leslie "
Wes"
Montgomery (March 6, 1923 – June 15, 1968) was an American
jazz guitarist. He is widely considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as
Django Reinhardt and
Charlie Christian and influencing countless others, including
George Benson,
Kenny Burrell,
Bobby Broom,
Royce Campbell,
Grant Green,
Jimi Hendrix,
Steve Howe,
Russell Malone,
Pat Martino,
Pat Metheny,
Lee Ritenour,
Mark Whitfield,
Joe Diorio,
Tuck Andress,
David Becker,
Randy Napoleon,
Larry Coryell and
Emily Remler.