Here's a discovery. The Jazz Mill club was in Phoenix, Arizona, but only lasted for a year, bringing in top stars of whom Kessel, then ‘the hottest jazz guitarist in the country’, was but one. Engaged for a 10-day stint, he was backed by the house trio known as the Jazz Millers and led by pianist Pete Jolly. Whether Kessel knew Jolly before this encounter isn't made known; if he didn't, he must have wondered what hit him for Jolly is outstanding. Happily, for present-day listeners, an audio enthusiast took care to tape some of the performances and here they are. Given Kessel's status, his playing, always wonderfully fluent, is as fine as expected, so much so that this listener's ear was drawn to the energy and sheer, brazen creativity exhibited by the 22-year-old Jolly. Heavily indebted to Bud Powell in both his keyboard attack and underlying commitment to swing, he matches Kessel blow-for-blow in their breaks and solos, keeping the energy high and the flow of ideas constant. ‘Get Happy’ is typical, each exchange topping its predecessor. No coasting for Kessel as Jolly gives him a real going-over, the guitarist responding like the hero he was. They tackle a couple of Charlie Christian specials and make something wonderful from both, ‘Seven Come Eleven’ keeping the tune's original shape before Kessel leaps ahead, and Jolly takes over, sweeping all before him. A few years later, Jolly was in Los Angeles and became part of the backbone of West Coast jazz, often in company with Kessel. Good sound, too. Don't hesitate.