Welcome to the Barney Kessel Project. To borrow a descriptor from one of Barney’s fans, we are “gassed” about sharing our research with you. We have been surprised and delighted by what we have found so far. Not only was Barney Kessel an inspiring and influential guitarist, arranger, teacher, and jazz performer, he was also a profoundly wonderful human with a great sense of humor and a grounded outlook on life.
Meet the Team:
Bryanna Beasley: MM in flute performance and MM in musicology, soccer star, savorer of dramatic symphonies, and sushi aficionado
Lacie Eades: MM in musicology, mother of two, aspiring home chef, and appreciator of all things mid-century modern
Nick Gillock: MM in musicology, reformed public school teacher, fan and comprehender of sports statistics, and minimalism connoisseur
Riley Kurre: MM in musicology, member of The Kansas City Symphony Chorus, resident opera geek, and snappy dresser
Alec Radecki: DMA in composition, language nerd, home chef, and video game enthusiast
Gabbi Roderer: DMA in flute performance and MM in musicology, gluten-free baker, pickleball lover, and self-proclaimed pun expert
Daniel Shineberg: DMA in flute performance and MA-MT in music therapy, doggy dad, old movie lover, and gin-and-whisky-drinking cross stitcher
Barney Anecdotes
#1 When it’s the “other guy” that makes you sound bad in a performance:
July 8, 1989:
…His setting of my tone controls were all wrong. I played but didn’t enjoy it musically…But I didn’t let this incident spoil my day.
#2 The cathartic one-star Yelp review:
Lunch break – ate at Italian restaurant near NBC
Waitress rude –
#3 When someone thinks you’re talking about them but it’s all one big misunderstanding:
Melbourne, Australia February 11, 1992:
As I was coming out of a radio station (after an interview) with an associate…I saw a particularly offensive green car parked right outside the front door of the station. As I opened the door and was outside I pointed to the car and said to my associate, rather loudly, “I think that is an ugly green” just as a lady walked by between the car and me wearing a bright green blouse and she really frowned.
#4 Kodak Moments…that we hope no one noticed:
New Zealand February 17, 1992
This morning in the coffee shop: the table w/breakfast buffet. Also, the milk pitcher was made to look like a chicken with its beak open (milk pours through the beak). In pouring milk for my cereal, I spilled it.
#5 #showerthoughts:
Words for a song:
I have to let you go, girl
I have to get you out of my sight,
I have to let you go, girl
‘Cause keepin’ you around
Is making me uptight
#6 Words to live by:
April 12, 1990
Don’t study music to learn about music. Study music to learn how to express that which is your thoughts and feelings through the medium of music.
