Barney Kessel
Electric Guitar Solo on
Easy to Love

About

Barney Kessel's half-chorus electric guitar solo is the second and final solo on this reading of the Porter standard. Kessel takes the 2nd half of a chorus following Charlie Shavers, completing the 32-bar AA' form at 133 BPM in E-flat with warm, swinging guitar lines. His playing reflects deep roots in both jazz and popular music, and the guitar's distinct timbral quality provides an effective contrast with Shavers's trumpet statement. Together, the two half-chorus solos create a satisfying instrumental interlude within Holiday's vocal performance.

Barney Kessel was 28 to 29 years old at the time.