Musicians:
Jill
Jensen-voice
Jack Grassel-guitars
Frank Almond-violin
Claude
Calliet-trombone
Steve Coepus-organ
Pat Crawford-bass flute
Rick Embach-vibes
Guillermo Espinasse-guitar
John Hibler-saxophones
Dean Lea-piano
Howard Levy-harmonica
Tom McGirr-bass
Joan
Miranda-viola
Anne MorseHambrock-harp
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Mike
Murphy-drums
Luis Navarro Lopez-bass
Steve Peplin-arranger
Jeff Pietrangelo-trumpet
John Price-bass
Dane Richeson-drums
Roger Ruggieri -bass
Tblisi Georgia-Singers
Kim Scholes-cello
Walt Stuart-arranger
Rip Tenor-saxophone
Paul Wertico-drums
Jean Yi Kim-violin |
Press release:
October 2006, WI - Frozen Sky Records is proud to announce the
release of It’s About
the Music, the second CD featuring
jazz vocalist Jill Jensen and guitarist Jack
Grassel. The
married couple collaborated six years on the project. In
addition to producing and performing on the CD, Jack composed
four new songs and created fresh arrangements to lovingly
showcase Jill‘s diverse vocal skills. The twelve song
collection artistically mixes Big and small band settings
loaded with exciting jazz solos. The Milwaukee Symphony
Orchestra principle players string quintet accompanies Jill on the Horace Silver song, “Lonely Woman”, custom arranged
by Steve Peplin. Legendary arranger Walt
Stuart created three
Big Band charts exclusively for Jill. Jill sings in Spanish
on one song “Isla Mujeres”, composed and performed
by Argentine virtuoso guitarist Guillermo Espinasse, and
recorded in Cancun, Mexico at Machine Head Studio. Other
recording sessions took place in: Brookfield, WI at Public
Record; Racine, WI at Andrews Brothers Recording; and in
New Berlin, WI at DNA Digital Systems where the CD was also
mixed and mastered. The CD design is by The Weber Group,
Inc. of Racine, WI, with photography by Keith Watling and
Sue Ruggles.
The twenty-four musicians listed above, who contributed their
highly skilled talents to the CD, reads as a “Who’s
Who” of the Midwest‘s most accomplished. Included
is nationally acclaimed Howard Levy on harmonica, (founding Member
of Bella Fleck and the Flecktones), seven time Grammy Award-winning
drummer Paul Wertico, and Dane Richeson, recognized as one of
the most versatile virtuosi in percussion.
It’s About the Music was almost never heard. In March of
2004, Jack was stricken with heart infection and toxic shock.
Jill was told he had a “10-20% chance” to live. Jack
beat the odds to miraculously survive, but production stalled
for two years while he struggled to regain health. The Milwaukee
music community rallied to give a special concert, which eased
their burden of huge medical bills. The couple credit the CD’s
completion to the outpouring of spiritual support from fellow
musicians, family and fans. Although Jack is not fully recovered,
he and Jill consider the release of It’s About the Music
a triumphant finale to that difficult period.
Always a surefire crowd pleaser at any occasion, Jill and Jack
are in demand as a duo or small ensemble as well as Big Band.
The jazz duo sizzles onstage. Jill Jensen grew up singing in
a home where the music of choice was swing era and jazz standards.
She is well known in southeastern Wisconsin as a vocalist, actress
and television spokesperson with a smooth confident stage presence
and a 'smile' in her vocal delivery. A fan says her voice is “Victoria’s
Secret for the ears.“ Jill gained musical fame through
singing engagements with numerous bands and shows, most notably
since 1998 with her world-renowned husband, Jack Grassel. Jack
produced her first CD, “Seems Like Dreams” in 2000. Just Jazz Guitar magazine wrote: ‘Jensen's voice is strong
and self-assured... Grassel's overall skill and musical approach
are the perfect compliment to Jensen's smooth and confident vocal
styling and phrasing.’ Dave Luhrssen of The Shepherd
Express said: ‘Jill’s expressive voice sparkles with the
sheer delight of singing as she wraps around lyrics and their
emotional implications. Blended with Jack’s stunning command
of the guitar, they perform music that speaks in an easily understood
and enjoyable dialect.” In addition to performing with
Jack Grassel, and the musicians on the CD, she has sung with:
Ed Thigpen, Marlene Rosenberg, Ernie Adams, Chip McNeil, and
Richie Cole.
Jack Grassel was voted one of the ”Ten Best in the U.S...” by Guitar One magazine, March 2000. “Upon hearing him seamlessly
weave bass lines, rhythm chords, and melody lines - all at the
same time - as well as noting his incredible command of the instrument,
we knew he was a shoe-in. Simply put, he sounds like no other
guitarist.” He is a winner of six W.A.M.I. (Wisconsin Area
Music Industry) Awards as Guitarist or Jazz Artist of the Year.
For decades, guitarists all over the world have studied his many
books, columns, compositions and recordings. Jack is known for
his invention "The Superguitar," on which he plays
bass and guitar simultaneously. He enjoyed the personal tutorage
of his mentors, Tal Farlow and George Van Eps, which helped father
his unique style. He has accompanied the biggest names in entertainment.
A short list includes: Luciano Pavarotti, Rosemary Clooney, Nancy
Wilson, John B. Williams, Roy McCurdy, Frankie Laine, Maureen
McGovern, Cab Calloway, Jay Leno, Bob Hope, Louie Bellson, Vic
Damone, Tom Jones, Al Martino, Joel Grey, Mel Rhyne, David Benoit,
Ira Sullivan, Ed Thigpen, Howard Levy, Buddy Montgomery, Doc
Severinson, Eartha Kitt, Helen O'Connell, Roger Williams, Percy
Faith, Lucas Foss, McCoy Tyner, Rufus Reid, Slide Hampton, John
Scofield, Ritchie Cole, Stu Katz, Michael Feinstein, Stanley
Jordan, Hod O‘Brien and Stephanie Nakasian.
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What people are saying:
"This is world class. An art form. A true gift. One of the finest,
most creative, ensemble recordings ever done. It is marvelous,
wonderful, tremendous, fresh, exciting, superb; it more than
entertains, it tells
a story. Jack’s playing is outstanding. Jill ‘s gorgeous
voice is thrilling. Musicianship throughout is remarkable. So much
work! All emotions are covered in this musical journey. I laughed
at ‘Benny‘s‘;
choked up at ‘Come in From the Rain‘; I was totally touched
deeply inside. Oh, and the gorgeous strings in ‘Lonely Woman‘!
I felt Jill was singing just to me, she makes a listener feel so
special, it warms your heart. This music will be around for long
time."
Dr. Nickolas
J. Contorno, Marquette University Director of Bands and Orchestra,
Milwaukee, WI
"The CD is incredible,,,and definitely worth the wait. Jill with
the big band is a treat to hear. Although "Small Day Tomorrow" is
one of my favorite all time songs...I find it is really hard to pick
a favorite moment…‘It’s About the Music’ is
brilliant from start to finish. I played it at Caroline's…and
people thought it was great. Anyway, thanks again for a brilliant
recording that I will treasure for a long time to come."
Scott Lehman
- Caroline’s
Jazz Club, Milwaukee
"Jill Jensen is one of those rare vocalists who has the pipes to
perform equally as well with a big band or a small combo. She can
go from
sweet to sultry. With the band she can belt out with the best of
them or
when the tune calls for it give a warm and intimate interpretation.
Jill is a true talent."
Gano & Beverly Evans; Big Bands
Blues and Ballads Too! Two's Company - Jazz Sessions. WHQR-91.3FM,
Wilmington,
NC
"Great diversity of sounds and material, Great playing by a lot of
great players-nice touch getting Howard and Paul Wertico, but everyone
is
right up there, and of course Jack, you sound great throughout. Jill
sounds very breathy, expressive; she is communicating. I especially
liked the larger bands. The arrangements are interesting and the
section is CRISP. Great production; obviously a lot of care taken
here. You
really pulled off a good one Nice Job!"
Steve Cohen, Blues Central
Booking and Management, Milwaukee
"There is so much heart laid bare in this CD that I almost cried
(now, there's and admission) when I heard some of the tunes. Knowing
your
off-the-charts love for each other and music, plus the things you
went through and will continue to face, this is not an album by two
people;
it's an album by one unbelievably transcendent union of two exceedingly
talented individuals. If I'm not being blasphemous, it's like the
Christian concept of the Trinity.
Beyond that, having all those heavy-weights
on board. Paul's work on After Orwell makes one forget that his /
my instrument isn't geared
for traditional melodic playing; his creative sense is that of a
top-flight
wind instrument player. Again, thank you!" John Ruka, Percussion faculty,
Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI
Artists Jensen and Grassel put out a fine album !
"Since this column began nearly two years ago, I've had the pleasure
of listening to a lot of great music by local artists. None, however,
has impressed me as much as 'It's About the Music' by vocalist JIll
Jensen and her guitarist husband Jack Grassel.
Beginning with a super swingin' 'Beyond the Sea,' the couple appear
to be on a mission. Not content to merely cover the standards, Jensen & Grassel,
accompanied by a host of guest musicians, aim to inject new life and
energy into them. They succeed on both counts.
While song to song, 'It's About the Music' touches many musical bases,
the stand-out for me is their ultra-groovy rendition of 'Girl From
Ipanema.' Grassel, who's no slouch on the guitar, flexes his muscles
as a songwriter, adding new lyrics and chord progressions. This number
is perfect for Jensen's silky smooth, pitch-perfect voice. VERY highly
recommended."
By Dan Pavelich,-Quick Spins, GET OUT section, Kenosha News, Oct. 20,
2006
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