Barney Kessel, 1923-2004, Guitarist

Albums» Barney Kessel: Modern Jazz Performances from Bizet's Carmen (1986)

Barney Kessel: Modern Jazz Perf. from Bizet's Carmen (1986)

Album review by Scott Yanow (~allmusic.com)
This is an unusual set that has been reissued on CD. During an era when many Broadway and movie scores were recorded in jazz settings (thanks in part to the success of Shelly Manne's best-selling My Fair Lady album), guitarist Barney Kessel chose to interpret nine melodies from Bizet's opera Carmen.

The guitarist is heard in three different settings: joined by five woodwinds and a rhythm section; with five jazz horns (including altoist Herb Geller and trumpeter Ray Linn) and a trio; and with vibraphonist Victor Feldman in a quintet. Kessel also wrote the arrangements, which pay tribute to the melodies while not being shy of swinging the themes. An interesting if not essential project.

Biographies» Barney Kessel (~allmusic)

BARNEY KESSEL
Biography by Scott Yanow

Born: October 17, 1923 in Muskogee, Okla
Died: May 6, 2004 in San Diego, California
Instruments: Guitar, Electric Guitar
Years Active: 1940 - 2000
Styles: Bop / Cool / West Coast

One of the finest guitarists to emerge after the death of Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel 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 (1944-1945) and Artie Shaw (1945); he also recorded with Shaw's Gramercy Five.

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