Recorded in May 1963 in New York, 'Fusion! Wes Montgomery with Strings' was Montgomery's first album with orchestral string accompaniment. The project was produced by Creed Taylor, who sought to expand the guitarist's sound to a wider audience while maintaining jazz integrity.
The orchestral arrangements were done by Johnny Pate, who led a string ensemble that blends with Montgomery's trio, consisting of pianist Hank Jones, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Grady Tate. The album combines jazz standards and popular ballads with a sophisticated approach.
Although some purist jazz critics initially questioned the inclusion of strings, the album was a commercial success and paved the way for Montgomery's future collaborations with orchestral arrangements. It is an early example of the trend of fusing jazz with elements of orchestrated popular music.