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 résumé includes recording dates with soprano saxophonist
Bob Wilber, Californian flamenco-inspired guitarist
Jim Stubblefield, and clarinetist
Ken Peplowski, who is the guest soloist on
Acoustic Heat. 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
Acoustic Heat 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.
