Looking for Jazz emsembles with a guitar flair

Try Philip Catherine - any of his are great, but I think I'm most partial to "Transparence".

I also have "Nairam" on vinyl which I bought in '76 I think, and it's fantastic. It's not available on CD that I've been able to find (in fact even Google doesn't turn it up). It's different than anything else you'll find by anybody - including the resto of Philip's catalog.

Check out some of the releases by Russell Malone.

Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel

The three guitarists you mention that you like all play in the "hard bop" style of jazz that was popular in the 1960's. You might also enjoy some of the guitarists who played in the Swing, bop, and cool styles of jazz. Here's a short list of guitarists to add to those already mentioned: Jim Hall (one of the truly great jazz guitarists); Tal Farlow; Charlie Byrd; George Barnes; Martin Taylor; Ed Bickert; Emily Remler; Grant Green; Jimmy Raney; Pat Martino; George van Eps; Bucky Pizzarelli; Ron Eschete; early George Benson (not his later stuff); Jack Wilkins; and Vic Juris.

Of course, if you want to understand the origins of jazz guitar, then you should also listen to some of the great recordings by Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.