Jazz groups often choose well-established formats: the piano trio; the bebop quintet; the trad or swing sextet. But “unorthodox” bands offer wonderful surprises.
“Tell us a story, Mister Grosz!” Photo by Lynn Redmile
Marty Grosz likes such original assemblages: two horns, guitar and string bass, for instance, all unamplified. And in the case of this morning set at Jazz at Chautauqua, not so long ago, Marty assembled two especially nimble horn players, a pianist, himself, and a very sensitive drummer who used snare and wire brushes only. It happened in this century, but it felt like a dream of the old days, thanks to Andy Schumm, Scott Robinson, John Sheridan, and Pete Siers. Now, thanks to the glories of teleportation, and thanks to Nancy Hancock Griffith, we can go there also.
Calling Mr. Berlin!
Marty without Fats just wouldn’t be Marty:
and a homage to the esteemed and elusive Horace Gerlach and his co-composer, Mister Strong:
Marty turned 88 — yes, eighty-eight — a few days ago. He probably won’t see this post, but it is a deeply admiring salute to his delightful selves. This place wouldn’t be the same without him. And here’s a 2013 missive from MOG:
May your happiness increase!
Michael, thanks ever so much. That video reminds me so much of that glorious Chautauqua era, and I agree with your words totally. Thanks again and Be Well. Doug and Susanna Wayt
Always great to hear Marty G.
Especially with this instrumentation that leaves more
space for his guitar.
It’s always great to hear Marty and any of his groups;this particular one was certainly one of his best.By the way,i’ve been searching for a side under Scott Robinson’s name.I haven’t found one.He must be the most under-rated great musicians extant.He plays about 1000 instruments and excels on all of them.(no secret).
Zoot, I have no idea how anyone buys CDs these days, so I won’t presume except to direct you to the Arbors Records site or Amazon — because Scott has recorded half a dozen under his own name for Arbors and perhaps two dozen for other labels as a sideman. He also records for his own label, ScienSonic. So there’s no dearth of Mister Robinson on CD.
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