Jovial, energetic, and uncommonly well-versed in traditional jazz, guitarist
Marty Grosz
is internationally recognized as a skilled improviser, resilient session man, and (on the live dates) witty MC. On
Acoustic Heat
, a compilation drawing upon his output during the years 1998-2005, he is heard in duets with East Coast guitarist
Mike Peters
, whose resume includes recording dates with soprano saxophonist
Bob Wilber
, Californian flamenco-inspired guitarist
Jim Stubblefield
, and clarinetist
Ken Peplowski
, who is the guest soloist on
. It is a surprisingly stimulating stash, stocked with six titles credited to jazz guitar pioneer
Carl Kress
and a series of compositions by equally important early jazz and swing guitarists
Eddie Lang
,
Dick McDonough
Carmen Mastren
, and
Tony Mottola
. The
Sackville
catalog is fairly bursting with excellent albums that resulted from the combined energies of inspired musicians, and
is a glowing example of that dynamic. This is great music for freeway driving, weekend gardening, or immoderate consumption of food and drink among trusted friends. ~ arwulf arwulf