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Let's just say it up front! Barney Kessel was the geatest jazz guitarist of all-time for my money. "To Swing Or Not to Swing,""Kessel Plays Standards," and everything he ever did on Contemporary is essential. His later work was only better if not recorded (quite) as well as the Contemporary things.

For the completists out there, don't overlook Barney's very early work with Jazz At the Philharmonic from Norman Granz. Barney with Nat Cole and Buddy Rich formed an unbelievable trio from the late forties.

I was very fortunate to see Barney a few times but one stands out. At Chapman College, in Orange, California, while in high school, the school sponsored a Jazz Nite with The Hi-Lo's, Clare Fischer and Barney Kessel. The weather was rainy and things got crazy. Barney's group didn't make it so he had to do a solo set...but because the Hi-Lo's got stranded at LAX for two hours Barney ended up sitting, cross-legged on a straight backed chair doing about three sets...what a memorable performance. Clare Fischer, another overlooked jazz cat on piano, also played for over an hour with Barney and the vocal groups back up group to the great pleasure of we fans present. Barney was da' man.

(And yes, I'm familiar with Charlie Christian, Django, Joe Pass, Sal Salvador, Billy Bauer, Tal Farlow, Chet Atkins, Les Paul and many more but Barney cut everyone in my book)

Joe