“Four on Six” and Pat Martino (125) 

“Four on Six,” first recorded by Wes Montgomery on The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery in 1960, is one of the defining compositions in jazz guitar history. Built loosely on the harmonic framework of “Summertime,” the tune combines blues phrasing, bebop harmony, and memorable rhythmic hits within a compact 16-bar form. Its descending ii–V progressions and sophisticated substitutions helped make it a favorite among modern jazz musicians, while Montgomery’s use of octaves, block chords, and thumb-picked articulation gave the piece its unmistakable sound.

Guitar legend Pat Martino later reinterpreted the tune on his 2006 Blue Note release Remember: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery. Rather than imitate Montgomery directly, Martino transformed the piece through his own advanced bebop language, emphasizing rapid single-note lines, harmonic complexity, and remarkable precision. Having studied Montgomery obsessively as a teenager, Martino approached the tune with both reverence and individuality, creating a performance that honored the original while showcasing his own modern jazz guitar voice.

Wes Montgomery 

Pat Martino 

The Jazz Real Book Podcast Vol. 2