The Mastersounds

In 1957 vibraphonist Buddy Montgomery and electric bassist Monk Montgomery (1921-1982) joined pianist Richie Crabtree and drummer Benny Barth to launch the Mastersounds, a melodic and easy listening bop ensemble. The quartet remained active for several years, issuing ten albums over that span on Pacific Jazz, World Pacific, and Fantasy. Wes Montgomery guested on one of the 1958 sessions, which interpreted songs from the stage production Kismet. Although the group folded in 1961, it reassembled briefly four years later. During the remainder of the decade the two Montgomery brothers repeatedly recorded and performed alongside their celebrated sibling in settings led by Wes.