Barney Kessel (October 17, 1923 – May 6, 2004) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

guitarist born in

Muskogee, Oklahoma Muskogee () is the thirteenth-largest city in Oklahoma and the county seat of Muskogee County. Home to Bacone College, it lies approximately southeast of Tulsa. The population of the city was 36,878 as of the 2020 census, a 6.0 percent decrease ...

. Known in particular for his knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies, he was a member of many prominent jazz groups as well as a "first call" guitarist for studio, film, and television recording sessions. Kessel was a member of the group of session musicians informally known as the Wrecking Crew.

Biography

Kessel was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1923. Kessel's father was an immigrant from Hungary who owned a shoe shop. His only formal musical study was three months of guitar lessons at the age of 12. He began his career as a teenager touring with local dance bands. When he was 16, he started playing with the

Oklahoma A&M Oklahoma (; Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, New M ...

band, Hal Price & the Varsitonians. The band members nicknamed him "Fruitcake" because he practiced up to 16 hours a day. Kessel gained attention because of his youth and being the only white musician playing in all African American band at black clubs. In the early 1940s, he moved to Los Angeles, where for one year he was a member of the

Chico Marx Leonard Joseph "Chico" Marx (; March 22, 1887 – October 11, 1961) was an American comedian, actor and pianist. He was the oldest brother in the Marx Brothers comedy troupe, alongside his brothers Adolph ("Harpo"), Julius ("Groucho"), Milton ...

big band. He appeared in the film '' Jammin' the Blues'', which featured Lester Young. Soon after, he played in the bands of Charlie Barnet and Artie Shaw. During the day, he worked as a studio musician and at night played jazz in clubs. In 1947, he recorded with

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form ...

. He worked in Jazz at the Philharmonic and for one year in the early 1950s he was a member of the

Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian virtuoso jazz pianist and composer. Considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, ...

trio. After leaving the trio, he recorded several solo albums for Contemporary. He recorded a series of albums with Ray Brown and

Shelly Manne Sheldon "Shelly" Manne (June 11, 1920 – September 26, 1984) was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, s ...

as ''The Poll Winners'' because the three of them often won polls conducted by '' Metronome'' and ''

DownBeat ' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...

'' magazines. He was the guitarist on the album '' Julie Is Her Name'' (1955) by

Julie London Julie London (née Peck; September 26, 1926 – October 18, 2000) was an American singer and actress whose career spanned more than 40 years. A torch singer noted for her sultry, languid contralto vocals, London recorded over thirty albums ...

, which includes the standard " Cry Me a River", selling a million copies and demonstrated Kessel's chordal approach to guitar. During the 1960s, Kessel worked for

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

and was a member of a band of session musicians known as The Wrecking Crew. At one point, after a two and a half hour session to record a one-chord song, "

The Beat Goes On The Beat Goes On, or variants, may refer to: Music Albums * ''The Beat Goes On'' (Herbie Mann album), 1967 * ''The Beat Goes On!'' (Sonny Criss album), 1968 * ''The Beat Goes On'' (Vanilla Fudge album), 1968 * '' The Beat Goes On: The Best of ...

," Kessel is reported to have stood up and proclaimed, "Never have so many played so little for so much." He recorded with pop acts such as The Monkees and The Beach Boys and with jazz musicians

Sonny Rollins Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (born September 7, 1930) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, he has recorded over sixty albums as a ...

and Art Tatum. Kessel eventually left studio work to concentrate on his jazz career both onstage and on records. Along with solo work, he formed the ensemble Great Guitars with

Charlie Byrd Charlie Lee Byrd (September 16, 1925 – December 2, 1999) was an American jazz guitarist. Byrd was best known for his association with Brazilian music, especially bossa nova. In 1962, he collaborated with Stan Getz on the album '' Jazz Samba' ...

and

Herb Ellis Mitchell Herbert Ellis (August 4, 1921 – March 28, 2010), known professionally as Herb Ellis, was an American jazz guitarist. During the 1950s, he was in a trio with pianist Oscar Peterson. Biography Born in Farmersville, Texas, and raised ...

. Kessel was rated the No. 1 guitarist in ''

Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentlema ...

'', ''DownBeat'', and ''

Playboy ''Playboy'' is an American men's lifestyle and entertainment magazine, formerly in print and currently online. It was founded in Chicago in 1953, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. K ...

'' magazine polls between 1947 and 1960. From 1961 to 1974, Gibson Guitars manufactured the

Barney Kessel Barney Kessel (October 17, 1923 – May 6, 2004) was an American jazz guitarist born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Known in particular for his knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies, he was a member of many prominent jazz groups a ...

artist signature guitars in Standard and Custom models.

Personal life

Kessel was married to Gail Genovia Farmer in the 50s and 60s, and she is the mother of Kessel's only children, Dan Kessel and David Kessel. He was then married to Betty Jane (BJ) Baker for 16 years. The couple divorced in 1980. His third marriage to Joanne (Jo) Kessel lasted 10 years, and he was married to his fourth wife, Phyllis Kessel, for 12 years. Kessel's sons Dan Kessel (died Feb 2021) and David Kessel became record producers and session musicians, working with

Phil Spector Harvey Phillip Spector (born Harvey Philip Spector; December 26, 1939January 16, 2021) was an American record producer and songwriter, best known for his innovative recording practices and entrepreneurship in the 1960s, followed decades later by ...

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

Cher Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female ...

, Leonard Cohen, The Ramones, Blondie, The Go-Go's and more.

Death

Kessel was in poor health after suffering a stroke in 1992. He died from a brain tumor at his home in

San Diego, California San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United States ...

, on May 6, 2004, at the age of 80.

Discography

As leader

* ''Barney Kessel'' ( Contemporary, 1954) * ''

To Swing or Not to Swing ''To Swing or Not to Swing'' (subtitled ''Barney Kessel Volume 3'') is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel released on the Contemporary label which was recorded at sessions in 1955.

'' (Contemporary, 1955) * '' Kessel Plays Standards'' (Contemporary, 1956) * '' Easy Like'' (Contemporary, 1956) * '' Music to Listen to Barney Kessel By'' (Contemporary, 1957) * ''

The Poll Winners ''The Poll Winners'' is an album by jazz guitarist Barney Kessel with drummer Shelly Manne and bassist Ray Brown that was recorded in 1957 and released by Contemporary Records.

'' with Shelly Manne, Ray Brown (Contemporary, 1957) * '' The Poll Winners Ride Again!'' with Shelly Manne, Ray Brown (Contemporary, 1958) * '' Modern Jazz Performances from Bizet's Opera Carmen'' (Contemporary, 1959) * ''

Some Like It Hot ''Some Like It Hot'' is a 1959 American crime comedy film directed, produced and co-written by Billy Wilder. It stars Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, with George Raft, Pat O'Brien, Joe E. Brown, Joan Shawlee, Grace Lee Whitney and N ...

'' (Contemporary, 1959) * '' Poll Winners Three!'' with Shelly Manne, Ray Brown (Contemporary, 1960) * '' Exploring the Scene!'' with Shelly Manne, Ray Brown (Contemporary, 1960) * ''Bossa Nova Plus Big Band'' ( Reprise, 1961) * ''El Tigre'' with Harold Land (Charlie Parker, 1962) * ''

Let's Cook! ''Let's Cook!'' is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel recorded at sessions in 1957 but not released on the Contemporary label until 1962.

'' (Contemporary, 1962) * ''Breakfast At Tiffany's'' (Reprise, 1962) * '' Barney Kessel's Swingin' Party'' (Contemporary, 1963) * ''Contemporary Latin Rhythms'' (Reprise, 1963) * ''On Fire'' (Emerald, 1965) * ''Kessel's Kit'' (

RCA Victor RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also Aris ...

, 1969) * ''Reflections in Rome'' (RCA Victor, 1969) * ''Hair Is Beautiful'' (

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...

, 1969) * '' Feeling Free'' (Contemporary, 1969) * ''What's New... Barney Kessel?'' (

Mercury Mercury commonly refers to: * Mercury (planet), the nearest planet to the Sun * Mercury (element), a metallic chemical element with the symbol Hg * Mercury (mythology), a Roman god Mercury or The Mercury may also refer to: Companies * Merc ...

, 1969) * ''Guitarra'' (RCA Camden, 1970) * ''Swinging Easy!'' (

Black Lion Black Lion, Black Lions, or Blacklions may refer to: Businesses and organisations * Black Lion, Hammersmith, a London pub * Black Lion, Kilburn, a London pub * Black Lion Records, a British jazz record company * Black Lions Films, associated wit ...

, 1971) * ''I Remember Django'' with Stephane Grappelli (Black Lion, 1971) * ''Limehouse Blues'' with Stephane Grappelli (Freedom, 1972) * ''Summertime in Montreux'' (Black Lion, 1973) * ''Easy Moments'' with Carlos Pes (Gemelli, 1973) * ''Two Way Conversation'' with Red Mitchell (Sonet, 1974) * ''Barney (& Friends) Plays Kessel'' (

Concord Jazz Concord Jazz is a record company and label founded in 1973 by Carl Jefferson, the former owner of Jefferson Motors Lincoln Mercury dealership in Concord, California. The label was named after the city in the East San Francisco Bay area, and the j ...

, 1975) * ''Just Friends'' (Sonet, 1975) * ''Blue Soul'' (Black Lion, 1975) * ''Great Guitars'' with Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis (Concord Jazz, 1975) * ''The Poll Winners: Straight Ahead'' with Ray Brown, Shelly Manne (Contemporary, 1975) * ''Poor Butterfly'' with Herb Ellis (Concord Jazz, 1977) * ''Soaring'' (Concord Jazz, 1977) * ''Live at Sometime'' (Trio, 1977) * ''A Tribute to the Great Hollywood Stars'' with Junko Mine (Trio, 1977) * ''By Myself'' (Victor, 1977) * ''Great Guitars at the Winery'' with Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis (Concord Jazz, 1980) * ''Solo'' (Concord, 1983) * ''Great Guitars at Charlie's Georgetown'' (Concord Jazz, 1983) * ''Spontaneous Combustion'' with Monty Alexander (Contemporary, 1987) * ''Red Hot and Blues'' (Contemporary, 1988) * ''Autumn Leaves'' (Black Lion, 1989) * ''Great Guitars Live'' with Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis (Concord 2001) * ''Live at the Jazz Mill 1954'' (Modern Harmonic, 2016) * ''Live at the Jazz Mill 1954 Vol. 2'' (Modern Harmonic, 2018)

As sideman

With Benny Carter * '' Alone Together'' ( Norgran, 1955) * ''

Cosmopolite Cosmopolite may refer to: * ''Cosmopolite'' (album) a 1956 album by Benny Carter * Cosmopolite (butterfly) (''Vanessa cardui''), also known as the painted lady * ''Kosmopoliet'', launched in 1854, said to have been the first Dutch clipper * Wor ...

'' (Norgran, 1956) * ''

Jazz Giant ''Jazz Giant'' is a studio album by jazz pianist Bud Powell, released on Norgran in 1950, featuring two sessions that Powell recorded for Norman Granz in 1949 and 1950. The album was remastered and re-released on CD in 2001 by Verve as a Verv ...

'' (Contemporary, 1958) * '' Aspects'' (

United Artists United Artists Corporation (UA), currently doing business as United Artists Digital Studios, is an American digital production company. Founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, the studi ...

, 1959) With The Coasters * '' Riot in Cell Block Number 9'' (

Spark Records Spark Records was a record label started by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller around 1954 in Los Angeles, California. Artists released on Spark Records included Willy & Ruth, The Sly Fox, Ervin "Big Boy" Groves, and The Robins. Leiber and Stoller ev ...

, 1954) * ''

One Kiss Led to Another "One Kiss Led to Another" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and performed by The Coasters. The song reached #11 on the R&B chart and #73 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1956. The song appeared on their 1957 album, ''The Coasters ...

'' ( Atco, 1956) * ''

Down in Mexico "Down in Mexico" is the debut single by the Coasters, released in 1956. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and appears on the 1957 album, ''The Coasters''. It reached No. 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, R&B chart in 1956. This ...

'' (Atco, 1956) * '' Young Blood'' (Atco, 1957) * ''

Searchin' "Searchin'" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller specifically for the Coasters. Atco Records released it as a single in March 1957, which topped the R&B Chart for twelve weeks. It also reached number three on the ''Billboard'' singl ...

'' (Atco, 1957) With Buddy DeFranco * ''Generalissimo'' (

Verve Verve may refer to: Music * The Verve, an English rock band * ''The Verve E.P.'', a 1992 EP by The Verve * ''Verve'' (R. Stevie Moore album) * Verve Records, an American jazz record label Businesses * Verve Coffee Roasters, an American coffee ho ...

, 1959) * ''Live Date'' (Verve, 1959) * ''Bravura'' (Verve, 1959) * ''Wailers'' (Verve, 1960) With Harry Edison * '' Sweets'' ( Clef, 1956) * ''

Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You" is a 1929 song written by Andy Razaf and Don Redman. It was recorded by the Redman-led McKinney's Cotton Pickers on Victor on November 5, 1929 as "Gee, Ain't I Good to You." King Cole Trio recording Nat King C ...

'' (Verve, 1957) With Sonny & Cher * '' Look at Us'' (Atco Records, 1965) With

Billie Holiday Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop si ...

* ''

Billie Holiday Sings ''Billie Holiday Sings'' (MGC-118) is a LP record#Playing time, 10-inch LP album made by jazz singer Billie Holiday, released in the United States by Clef Records in 1952. It was her first album for the label, and her first album of original ma ...

'' (Clef, 1952) * ''

'' (Clef, 1953) * ''

'' (Clef, 1954) * '' Billie Holiday at JATP'' (Clef, 1954) * ''

Music for Torching ''Music for Torching'' is a 1999 novel by American writer A. M. Homes. It is about a dysfunctional suburban family in the contemporary United States. The book deals with issues including sex, infidelity, social consciousness, and school violence ...

'' (Clef, 1956) * ''

Velvet Mood ''Velvet Mood: Songs by Billie Holiday'' is an album by jazz singer Billie Holiday, released in 1956 on Clef Records. The music was recorded over the course of two sessions in Los Angeles, two days apart, which had also resulted in all the materi ...

'' (Clef, 1956) * '' Lady Sings the Blues'' (Clef, 1956) * '' Body and Soul'' (Verve, 1957) * '' Songs for Distingué Lovers'' (Verve, 1957) * '' All or Nothing at All'' (Verve, 1958) With

* '' Julie Is Her Name'' (1955) With Anita O'Day * ''

This Is Anita ''This is Anita'' is a reissue of ''Anita'', a 1956 album by Anita O'Day that was re-released in 1962.Neal Umnphred, ''Goldmine's Price Guide to Collectible Jazz Albums, 1949-69'', Iola, WI: Krause, 1994, pp. 378, 379. It was arranged and conduct ...

'' (Verve, 1956) * '' Pick Yourself Up with Anita O'Day'' (Verve, 1957) * '' Anita Sings the Winners'' (Verve, 1958) * ''

Anita O'Day Swings Cole Porter with Billy May ''Anita O'Day Swings Cole Porter with Billy May'' is a 1959 studio album by Anita O'Day, of songs written by Cole Porter arranged by Billy May. O'Day and May recorded another Anita O'Day and Billy May Swing Rodgers and Hart, album dedicated to a ...

'' (Verve, 1959) * '' Trav'lin' Light'' (Verve, 1961) With

Shorty Rogers Milton "Shorty" Rogers (born Milton Rajonsky; April 14, 1924 – November 7, 1994) was an American jazz musician, one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played trumpet and flugelhorn and was in demand for his skills as an arran ...

* ''

Martians Come Back! ''Martians Come Back!'' is an album by American jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger Shorty Rogers, released on the Atlantic label in August 1956.

'' (Atlantic, 1956) * ''

Way Up There ''Way Up There'' is an album by American jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger Shorty Rogers, released on the Atlantic label in 1957.Chances Are It Swings ''Chances Are It Swings'' is an album by American jazz trumpeter and arranger Shorty Rogers performing compositions by Robert Allen which was released on the RCA Victor label in 1959.The Wizard of Oz and Other Harold Arlen Songs ''The Wizard of Oz and Other Harold Arlen Songs'' is an album by American jazz trumpeter and arranger Shorty Rogers performing songs composed by Harold Arlen including several from '' The Wizard of Oz''. The album was issued by RCA Victor in 1959 ...

'' (RCA Victor, 1959) With Pete Rugolo * '' Out on a Limb'' (

EmArcy EmArcy Records is a jazz record label founded in 1954 by the American Mercury Records. The name is a phonetic spelling of "MRC", the initials for Mercury Record Company. During the 1950s and 1960s, musicians such as Max Roach, Clifford Brown ...

, 1956) * '' An Adventure in Sound: Reeds in Hi-Fi'' (Mercury, 1958) * '' An Adventure in Sound: Brass in Hi-Fi'' (Mercury, 1958) With

* '' All I Really Want to Do'' (

EMI Records EMI Records (formerly EMI Records Ltd.) is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British flagship label by the music company of the same name in 1972, and launched in January 1973 as the succ ...

, 1965) With others * Georgie Auld, ''

In the Land of Hi-Fi with Georgie Auld and His Orchestra ''In the Land of Hi-Fi with Georgie Auld and His Orchestra'' is an album by American jazz saxophonist and bandleader Georgie Auld featuring tracks recorded in 1955 and released on the EmArcy label.Louis Bellson, '' Skin Deep'' (Norgran, 1953) *

Chet Baker Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool". Baker earned much attention and ...

, ''

Albert's House ''Albert's House'' is a studio album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded in 1969 and released on the Beverly Hills label.

'' (Beverly Hills, 1969) * Buddy Collette, ''

Man of Many Parts ''Man of Many Parts'' is an album by multi-instrumentalist and composer Buddy Collette recorded at sessions in 1956 and released on the Contemporary label.

'' (Contemporary, 1956) *

Sam Cooke Samuel Cook (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964), known professionally as Sam Cooke, was an American singer and songwriter. Considered to be a pioneer and one of the most influential soul artists of all time, Cooke is commonly referred ...

, '' Night Beat'' (RCA Victor, 1963) * Sam Cooke, '' Ain't That Good News'' ( RCA, 1964) * Sonny Criss, ''Go Man'' (

Imperial Imperial is that which relates to an empire, emperor, or imperialism. Imperial or The Imperial may also refer to: Places United States * Imperial, California * Imperial, Missouri * Imperial, Nebraska * Imperial, Pennsylvania * Imperial, Texa ...

, 1956) * Dion DiMucci, '' Born to Be with You'' (Collectables, 1975) * Roy Eldridge, '' Dale's Wail'' (Clef, 1953) *

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

, ''

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook ''Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book'' is a 1956 studio double album by American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by a studio orchestra conducted and arranged by Buddy Bregman, focusing on the songs of Cole Porter. Background ...

'' (Verve, 1956) * Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Criss, ''Jazz Concert West Coast'' (

Savoy Savoy (; frp, Savouè ; french: Savoie ) is a cultural-historical region in the Western Alps. Situated on the cultural boundary between Occitania and Piedmont, the area extends from Lake Geneva in the north to the Dauphiné in the south. Savo ...

, 1956) *

Hampton Hawes Hampton Barnett Hawes Jr. (November 13, 1928 – May 22, 1977) was an American jazz pianist. He was the author of the memoir ''Raise Up Off Me'', which won the Deems-Taylor Award for music writing in 1975. Early life Hampton Hawes was born on N ...

, ''

Four! ''Four!'' is a 1958 album by Hampton Hawes, originally released on the Contemporary label and reissued in 1991 by Original Jazz Classics. Reception AllMusic's Scott Yanow gives the album five stars and states that "Pianist Hampton Hawes' 1950s ...

'' (Contemporary, 1958) *

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

, ''

Songs for Hip Lovers ''Songs for Hip Lovers'' is a 1957 vocal album by the jazz bandleader Woody Herman, arranged by Marty Paich. Recording and music The album was recorded in two sessions, in January and March 1957. The material is standards and the arrangements ar ...

'' (Verve, 1957) *

Milt Jackson Milton Jackson (January 1, 1923 – October 9, 1999), nicknamed "Bags", was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms. He is especially remembered for his cool swinging solo ...

, '' Ballads & Blues'' (Atlantic, 1956) * Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, ''

The Drum Battle ''The Drum Battle – Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich at JATP'' (later issued as ''The Original Drum Battle!'') is a 1960 live album by drummers Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, recorded at a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert at Carnegie Hall in 1952. Recept ...

'' (Verve, 1960) * Oliver Nelson, ''

Soulful Brass ''Soulful Brass'' is an album by American jazz composer/arranger Oliver Nelson and pianist/entertainer Steve Allen featuring performances recorded in 1968 for the Impulse! Records, Impulse! label.Impulse! Impulse! Records (occasionally styled as "¡mpulse! Records" and "¡!") is an American jazz record company and label established by Creed Taylor in 1960. John Coltrane was among Impulse!'s earliest signings. Thanks to consistent sales and positiv ...

, 1968) *

Art Pepper Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known ...

and

Zoot Sims John Haley "Zoot" Sims (October 29, 1925 – March 23, 1985) was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor but also alto (and, later, soprano) saxophone. He first gained attention in the "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's big ...

, ''

Art 'n' Zoot ''Art 'n' Zoot'' (subtitled ''Their Only Concert Together'') is a live album by saxophonists Art Pepper and Zoot Sims recorded in 1981 at Royce Hall in Los Angeles and released on the Pablo Records, Pablo label in 1995.David Edwards, Mike Callahan, ...

'' ( Pablo, 1995) *

, ''The Oscar Peterson Quartet'' (Verve, 1955) * Oscar Peterson, ''Romance: The Vocal Styling of Oscar Peterson'' (Verve, 1956) *

, '' Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders'' (Contemporary, 1958) * Evie Sands, ''Any Way That You Want Me'' (Rev-Ola, 1970) * Ike & Tina Turner, '' River Deep – Mountain High'' (A&M, 1966) * Joe Williams, ''With Love'' (Temponic, 1972)

Bibliography

* * * * * *

References

External links

* * * * *
Barney Kessel Interview
NAMM Oral History Library (1999)
Barney Kessel Signature Phrases & Analysis
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kessel, Barney 1923 births 2004 deaths 20th-century American guitarists American jazz guitarists American music arrangers American session musicians Bebop guitarists Deaths from cancer in California Concord Records artists Contemporary Records artists Cool jazz guitarists Deaths from brain cancer in the United States Jazz musicians from Oklahoma Jewish American musicians People from Muskogee, Oklahoma The Wrecking Crew (music) members West Coast jazz guitarists Jewish jazz musicians American male guitarists Mainstream jazz guitarists 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Great Guitars (band) members Black Lion Records artists Sonet Records artists Savoy Records artists RCA Records artists Oscar Peterson Trio members