Jimmy & Wes, the only full-length studio collaboration between Hammond B3 organist Jimmy Smith and guitarist Wes Montgomery, is set to be reissued on all-analog 180-gram vinyl on November 14, 2025. This release is part of the new Verve Vault Series.
Produced by Creed Taylor and arranged by Oliver Nelson, the album features a big band setting that showcases the unique styles of both artists. It was recorded over three days in September 1966 at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Englewood Cliffs. The sessions included a strong rhythm section with drummer Grady Tate and bassist Richard Davis, along with a brass and reed-heavy ensemble.
Montgomery’s melodic guitar and Smith’s energetic organ create a lively atmosphere in Nelson’s punchy arrangements. The album includes original tracks and jazz standards, like Smith’s bluesy “James and Wes” and a fresh take on “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” which is transformed into a cool, minor-key groove. Nelson’s orchestrations add a cinematic feel while keeping the focus on the chemistry between Smith and Montgomery.
The Verve Vault Series offers all-analog 180-gram vinyl reissues of classic albums from Verve, Impulse!, Mercury, and more. Each release is mastered by Ryan K. Smith from the original analog tapes and pressed at Optimal, ensuring top-notch sound quality and attention to detail.
Previous releases in the series include Dizzy Gillespie’s Sonny Side Up and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s The Composer of Desafinado Plays, both released on October 10, 2025. Check out the Verve Vault series now!
