Marty Grosz
Birth nameMartin Oliver Grosz
Born (1930-02-28) February 28, 1930 (age 94)
Berlin, Germany
GenresJazz, dixieland, swing
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, banjo, vocals
Years active1950–present
LabelsJazzology, Riverside, Stomp Off, Arbors
Websitewww.martygrosz.com

Martin Oliver Grosz (born February 28, 1930)[1] is an American jazz guitarist, banjoist, vocalist, and composer born in Berlin, Germany, the son of artist George Grosz. He performed with Bob Wilber and wrote arrangements for him.[2] He has also worked with Kenny Davern, Dick Sudhalter, and Keith Ingham.

Marty Grosz is influenced by the Jazz guitarists of the 1930s, particularly Carl Kress, and uses a lower Banjo derived tuning for his guitar similar to that used by Kress. This produces a much more robust sound for both rhythm playing and chord solo breaks.

Grosz is also known as a witty raconteur often introducing songs with long amusing anecdotes.

Career

Grosz was born in Berlin, Germany, but became resident in the United States by the age of three.[1] In Chicago during the 1950s, Grosz recorded with Dave Remington and Art Hodes.[3] In the 1970s, he was a vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Soprano Summit[3] In the 1980s, he was a member of the Classic Jazz Quartet with Dick Wellstood.[3] He played, sang, and wrote most of the group's arrangements. He has also performed at concerts with Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, and Charlie Byrd.[4]

Discography

As leader

As sideman or guest

With Randy Sandke and the New York All Stars

With Soprano Summit

With others

References

  1. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 175. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  2. ^ Yanow, Scott. "Marty Grosz". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Yanow, Scott (2000). Swing. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. p. 355. ISBN 978-0-87930-600-7.
  4. ^ "Marty Grosz at All About Jazz". Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.

External links

Authority control databases
Categories