Barney Kessel
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One of the finest guitarists to emerge after the death of Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel (October 17, 1923 – May 6, 2004) was a reliable bop soloist throughout his career. He played with a big band fronted by Chico Marx (1943), was fortunate enough to appear in the classic jazz short Jammin’ the Blues (1944) and then worked with the big bands of Charlie Barnet (1944-45) and Artie Shaw (1945); he also recorded with Shaw’s Gramercy Five.
Kessel became a busy studio musician in Los Angeles but was always in demand for jazz records. He toured with the Oscar Peterson Trio for one year (1952-53) and then, starting in 1953, led an impressive series of records for Contemporary that lasted until 1961 (including several with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne in a trio accurately called “The Poll Winners”). After touring Europe with George Wein’s Newport All-Stars (1968) Kessel lived in London for a time (1969-70).
In 1973 he began touring and recording with the Great Guitars, a group also including Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd. A serious stroke in 1992 put Barney Kessel permanently out of action but many of his records (which include dates for Onyx, Black Lion, Sonet and Concord in addition to many of the Contemporaries) are currently available along with several video collections put out by Vestapol.
In 2004, Kessel died of brain cancer in San Diego, California.
Kessel became a busy studio musician in Los Angeles but was always in demand for jazz records. He toured with the Oscar Peterson Trio for one year (1952-53) and then, starting in 1953, led an impressive series of records for Contemporary that lasted until 1961 (including several with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne in a trio accurately called “The Poll Winners”). After touring Europe with George Wein’s Newport All-Stars (1968) Kessel lived in London for a time (1969-70).
In 1973 he began touring and recording with the Great Guitars, a group also including Herb Ellis and Charlie Byrd. A serious stroke in 1992 put Barney Kessel permanently out of action but many of his records (which include dates for Onyx, Black Lion, Sonet and Concord in addition to many of the Contemporaries) are currently available along with several video collections put out by Vestapol.
In 2004, Kessel died of brain cancer in San Diego, California.
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Kessel Plays Standards
Barney Kessel
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To Swing Or Not To Swing
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Plays For Lovers
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Easy Like: Barney Kessel: Volume 1
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Shoutbox
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academyofrock wrote:
You may enjoy this new blog post - Innovation Excellence and all that jazz http://humandynamics.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/innovation-excellence-and-all-that-jazz/
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Sakul01 wrote:
Hey folks... please check out m new group Joe Pass lovers
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jvaahtera wrote:
Barney Kessel - waaaahhhh!! No one like him - except the great Charlie Christian. Number one guitarist in my book.
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pillowtalk wrote:
amanin barni!
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crackinkid wrote:
luv his style :)
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F_Hole wrote:
I enjoy all the speedsters, but BK had the tone (like butter), and all with the downstroke pick-style of Charlie Christian. One thing I didn't know about him until I saw him play was that he was hysterically funny; he'd grab the mike between tunes and amazed me with his wit and intellect. I miss you, Barney.
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kaitheory wrote:
BK jams somethin' fierce eh?
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Lorolux wrote:
For me, he is now one of the best Jazz-Guitarists! When you listen to his versions of Autumn Leaves or Greend Dolphin St. you will hear that he wasn´t just a very good guitarplayer but also a great improviser and he had originality! Thank you
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mj_bossa wrote:
muito bom !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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natemcdonough wrote:
Only 33 fabs more poular than barney
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marimurray tagged Barney Kessel with bebop and jazz. 19 hours ago
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mademoisellala and sudheergee added Barney Kessel to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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jemyaka tagged Barney Kessel with ‘jazz guitar’. Wednesday afternoon
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esbartolo wrote about Barney Kessel in ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - January 2012. 8 days ago
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Callomac tagged Barney Kessel with ‘jazz guitar’. last month
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ophirlevine, alexandros1515, elpoblet and 5 other people added Barney Kessel to their libraries. last month
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esbartolo wrote about Barney Kessel in ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - December 2011. last month
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Related Journals
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ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - January 2012
by esbartolo |
5 Feb 2012
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ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - December 2011
by esbartolo |
3 Jan 2012
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ESB Jazz Radio - New and upcoming releases - July 2011
by esbartolo |
7 Aug 2011
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