Joe Steels Trio: Celebrating Wes Montgomery @ Central Bar, Gateshead - June 7

Joe Steels (guitar); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

John Leslie 'Wes' Montgomery, a name to conjure with. Born in Indiana, more than a century ago, Wes Montgomery continues to exert an influence on successive generations of guitarists. Here we were, June 2026, in an upstairs room of a pub in Gateshead listening to one of the region's finest guitarists paying homage to the American jazz guitar icon.

Joining Steels in his endeavours were two of the stalwarts of the scene - bassist Mick Shoulder and drummer Abbie Finn. Across the course of two sets, Steels deployed little or nothing of Montgomery's thumb technique (no bad thing), although, from time to time, the use of octaves was clearly evident. 

As is his way, softly spoken Steels addressed his audience in measured tones, offering insight into the numbers to be played. The first of two sets consisted of familiar numbers, including Stablemates, Tres Palabras and I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face. Steels' extended solo excursions held the attention of the room, not least the guitarists, of which there were likely more than a few in attendance. 

Mick Shoulder and Abbie Finn handled the material with aplomb, grasping solo opportunities as and when. A superb guitar intro to 'Round Midnight opened the second set. Bobby Timmons' Moanin', heavy on the octaves, scored heavily, Henry Mancini's Days of Wine and Roses, Jimmy Van Heusen's Darn That Dream (a tune beloved of guitarists) were winners and, it just had to be in the set, Four on Six. It had been a most enjoyable afternoon of top class jazz. Thanks to Joe, Mick and Abbie. Russell