Known in particular for his knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies, he was a member of many prominent jazz groups as well as a "first call" guitarist for studio, film, and television recording sessions.

[5] In the early 1940s, he moved to Los Angeles, where for one year he was a member of the Chico Marx big band.

[10] During the 1960s, Kessel worked for Columbia Pictures and was a member of a band of session musicians known as The Wrecking Crew.

At one point, after a two and a half hour session to record a one-chord song, "The Beat Goes On," Kessel is reported to have stood up and proclaimed, "Never have so many played so little for so much.

"[11] He recorded with pop acts such as The Monkees and The Beach Boys and with jazz musicians Sonny Rollins and Art Tatum.

[6] Kessel played the iconic opening notes of the acclaimed Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album, on the track "Wouldn't It Be Nice."

Kessel's signature "warm, clean timbre" was created with hollow-body arch-top electric guitars with the neck pickup activated, played through a tube combo amp.

Specifically, he named Charlie Parker, Pat Martino, Oscar Peterson, Lester Young and Django Reinhardt as influences on his playing style.

[21][22] With The Beach Boys With Benny Carter With The Coasters With Sam Cooke With Buddy DeFranco With Harry Edison With Billie Holiday With Peggy Lee With Anita O'Day With Oscar Peterson With Shorty Rogers With Pete Rugolo With Sonny & Cher With others