The Final Program
Front page
Back Page
It’s been almost 35 years since Wes passed away, and the title “The Final Program” refers to the “Funeral Program” distributed at Wes’s funeral. I obtained it from a collector, and I’m amazed it survived all this time. The collector explained that it was created by church staff volunteers.
The program measures 28 cm by 52 cm, folded in half, with the first page as the cover, the second and third pages containing memories of Wes and the funeral program, and the fourth page as the back cover. Despite wrinkles from age and a vertical fold, it’s a miracle the condition is fairly well preserved.
Below is the translation of the program (though it might be slightly inaccurate, the overall meaning is intact). I found it particularly interesting that it stated Wes’s first heard song was indeed “Solo Flight,” as has been mentioned before. However, it describes the first guitar and amp he bought as costing $30. I don’t know the price of instruments in the 1940s, but $300 seems more plausible.
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1923 1968
In Memoriam
John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery
6/18/1968 Tue 1:00 PM
PURITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
872 WEST 27TH STREET
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
Reverend John Crook
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Obituary
(* This was first translated into Japanese and then back into English, so there might be some discrepancies from the original.)
John "Wes" Montgomery was born on March 6, 1923, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Frances Arlington and Tom Montgomery.
He married Serene Miles on February 21, 1943, and they had two sons and five daughters.
John "Wes" Montgomery was the leader of a jazz quintet. Until he was 19, he had never played the guitar. However, he taught himself to play the electric guitar he bought with saved money and became an internationally renowned guitarist.
John "Wes" Montgomery was a good father and husband.
He passed away at Methodist Hospital on June 15, 1968.
Wes Montgomery, at 45, was voted Best Jazz Guitarist in Down Beat magazine's readers poll five times in the past seven years (up to 1967) and won a similar honor in Playboy magazine's readers poll six consecutive times.
In 1966, his album "Goin' Out of My Head" won the Grammy Award for "Best Instrumental Jazz Performance" and was acclaimed by Billboard magazine as the highest-charting album in history.
Record World magazine named him Jazzman of the Year in 1967.
(His Grammy-winning album "California Dreamin'" included the charted songs "Bumpin' on Sunset" and "Windy" ... (Note: This is an incorrect description.)
After his death, "A Day In The Life" became a best-selling jazz album on the Billboard charts for 37 consecutive weeks.
He was the leader of a quintet with Buddy and Monk until shortly before his death. The group's last performance was at Caesar's Place in Phoenix. Wes's last performance was on May 22 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum (likely Indiana, though not accurately stated).
Born John Leslie Montgomery in Indianapolis in 1923, he attended school in Columbus, Ohio. He returned to Indianapolis at 17.
At 19, newly married and never having played the guitar, he listened to a song by legendary guitarist Charlie Christian, who played with Benny Goodman. Later, he said the song was "Solo Flight."
Attracted to Christian's music, he scraped together $30 (Note: This is likely a mistake and should be $300) to buy a new electric guitar and amplifier, even though he couldn't read music.
He learned from Christian's records and began performing at the 440 Club and other nightclubs in Indianapolis after eight months of self-study. Though he never learned to read music, four years later in 1948, his unique style landed him a job with the Lionel Hampton Big Band.
He played with the Hampton band for two years but missed his family due to constant touring, so he returned to Indianapolis. He then worked non-music-related jobs, performing only on weekends at places like the Turf Club and Missile Room.
In 1959, alto saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley heard Montgomery's performance and reported it to the head of Riverside Records in New York. The record company contacted Mr. Montgomery and asked him to record.
Of the two albums he made, one was with a trio including his brothers. The first album earned him the Down Beat magazine's New Star Award for guitar in the international critics' poll for the 1960s. About 15 years after he started playing the guitar, Wes's success continued until his death.
Widow: Serene Montgomery
Two sons: John L. Montgomery Jr., Robert Montgomery
Five daughters: Mrs. Charlene Grayson, Sharon, Sandra, Frances, Toni Montgomery
One sister: Mrs. Elvena Floyd
Two brothers: Charles F. "Buddy" Montgomery, San Francisco, California
William H. "Monk" Montgomery, San Francisco, California
Four grandchildren
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Church Service
Organ Prelude
Processional Hymn
Hymn No. 242..................."COME YE DISCONSOLATE"
Psalm Reading...................Psalm 23
Prayer
Gospel.................."BEYOND THE SUNSET"
Acknowledgements:
The Montgomery family expresses gratitude to all who have paid their respects to Wes.
Commitment---Church---Mrs. Stretta Bryant, instrumental:
"JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE" (Spiritual)
Note:
Soft music during the reading of the obituary. (Background music)
"THERE IS A FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH BLOOD"
Words of Comfort:
Family-------Reverend John J. Crook
Benediction
Recessional Hymn
Organ Postlude
Commitment and Interment
New Crown Cemetery
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Wes Montgomery
A man of honor
Friend and musician
Pallbearers
Wes Montgomery Quintet
Summers Funeral Home (Church)
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