Show Notes

A Double Dose of Swing Here's great news for fans of acoustic jazz guitar. Acoustic Disc's Swing Guitar Masterpieces is the first United States CD release of the music of Oscar Alemán, an amazing Argentine guitarist who, according to jazz critic Leonard Feather, could "outswing Django Reinhardt," his friend and peer. This special double-CD compilation contains over 140 minutes of Alemán swinging interpretations of popular standards from both North and South America. The 52 tracks were recorded between 1938 and 1957, and represent this rarely-heard genius in his prime. A 20-page booklet of rare photos, biographical notes and discographical information is also included with the set.

According to producer David Grisman, "These performances stand out as classics of improvised acoustic string music and fill a missing chapter in the history of this genre. Alemán contributions to an idiom pioneered by Eddie Lang and Joe Venuti and, of course, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli are substantial. His arrangements are perhaps the most inventive and his playing is gutsy, virtuosic and inspired. It has always been a mystery to me as to why this other remarkable proponent of acoustic swing guitar has been so ignored and unrecognized in relation to Django."

Acoustic Disc is proud to present the fabulous music of a true master of swing to a new generation of listeners.