Jack Grassel Guitarist Extraordinaire

JAMEY AEBERSOLD'S RECORDING STUDIO April 2009 New Albany, Indiana Jonathan Higgins-drums, Butch Neeld-bass Jamey Aebersold-alto sax, Jack-guitar Jack was on the way out to the East coast for a gig. He stopped by to eat lunch with Jamey and then play some music with Jamey and his band.
MUSICIANS INSTITUTE February 2009 Hollywood, California L-R: Jimmy Wyble, Jack, Sid Jacobs Jack Jack spent the day teaching, attending Mr. Wyble's classes, and jamming with Sid, Jimmy and students. Brilliant Mr. Wyble has created guitar books on countrapuntal jazz lines, has recorded CDs as a leader, and with Frank Sinatra. Sid has a book on playing the Bill Evans piano style on guitar.
THIRD WARD JAZZ FESTIVAL August 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Jack and Kirk Tatnall - superguitars Dane Richeson - drums On tour for the "GHOST RIDGE" CD: Jack and Kirk's custom guitars allow them to play bass and guitar on 70 of Jack's tunes.
THE UPTOWNER December 2005 Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: John Price, Jill Jensen, Jack Jack presented his weekly vision of music at The Uptowner from January 1995 to October 2007 with a variety of musicians. The "Live @ The Uptowner" CD was recorded there one night w/ Ernie Adams & Kirk Tatnall.
SALAMONE'S December 2005 Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin L-R: Randy Knackert, Jack 45 RPM opened the concert with a firey set of rock and roll. Jack and vocalist Jill Jensen sat in to open the second half. Randy is a powerful presence on stage. Jack and Randy hadn't played together before this night though they've been friends since 2nd grade.
JAMES MOODY'S 80th BIRTHDAY May 2005 Bermuda L-R: Jack, Hod O'Brian, Steph Nakasian Jack was trying to get his technique back after a Staph infection almost killed him in March of 2004. He played an aggresive set with pianist Hod and vocalist Stephanie.
SUMMERFEST JAZZ STAGE July 1, 2003 Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Chuck Howard Superband (Trombone virtuoso Mr. Howard in black.) Jack worked with Chuck's Superband for 25 years. They played custom Walt Stuart harts exclusively and had the finest player in each position. It was essentially a guitar trio with horns. A sad but great last gig.
WLC JAZZ SERIES August 2002 Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Ed Thigpen, Jack Jack and bassist John Price accompanied Mr. Thigpen for a concert at Wisconsin Lutheran College playing Ed's tunes exclusively. Jill Jensen sang "Denise", Ed's musical tribute to his daughter. One of the highlights was Mr. Thigpen playing melodies with his elbow on his small tom while John and Jack played a funk vamp.
"MUSIC EVERYWHERE" CONCERT July 2002 Chicago, Illinois L-R:Paul Wertico, Marlene Rosenburg, Jack For one awesome summer, Chicago created a budget for musicians to play hundreds of concerts in the city. Paul arrived by bus with a snare and cymbal. Marlene was great at sight reading Jack's compositions.
CAROLINE'S JAZZ CLUB October 2002 MIlwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Vocalist Jill Jensen, Jack Review: "What happens when you take one of the nation's top jazz guitarists, add one of Wisconsin's favorite vocalists and throw in the chemistry of two people in love? This duo sizzles onstage. Jill's expressive voice sparkles with the sheer delight of singing as she wraps around the lyrics and their emotional implications, blended with Jack's stunning command of the guitar."
THE JAZZ SHOWCASE September 2002 Chicago, Illinois L-R: Jack, Ira Sullivan, Marlene Rosenburg Ira is beyond the cutting edge of viruosity. Audience jaws dropped as he played alto, tenor, trumpet, soprano and flute, as if each were his main ax. (A Bill Klewitz photo.)
A LESSON WITH BILLY BAUER October 2001 Long Island, New York L-R: Billy Bauer, Jack In 1948, Billy played with Lennie Tristano, Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz on the first "free jazz" record. Here at 88 he's showing Jack his chord system. They played "All the Things You Are" and Mr. Bauer sounded great: a very musical and creative guitarist.
THE MIRAMAR THEATER January 2000 Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Howard Levy-mandolin, Jack-banjolele Harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy and Jack surprised the audience with a mandolin and banjolele duet. The rest of the concert was Howard on harmonica and Jack on guitar. A highpoint was "Take Five" in four and "Giant Steps" in five at the same time. Despite a broken heating system, Jack and Howard provided plenty of heat for a shivering audience wrapped in blankets.
THE PFISTER HOTEL April 2000 Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Perry Petta-piano, John Price, Jack This trio played for seven years in a wonderful room called "Blu" on the 23rd floor. The view of the lakefront is incredible through the glass walls especially during festival fireworks on the shore of Lake Michigan.
CAROLINE'S JAZZ CLUB March 2000 Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Jack, Bill Martin During the concert, the electricity went off. Jack and Bill left the stage, sat in the audience and played unamplified. Caroline lit candles. Scott distributed free drinks. The audience listened quietly. Augie Ray was there with his camera.
NATIONAL GUITAR WORKSHOP August 1997 New Milford, Connecticut L-R: Jack, Tal Farlow 500 guitarists jumped to their feet after the last tune of Tal's final concert. Mr. Farlow had a unique style using the many techniques pioneered. Jack studied with Tal from 1993 until his passing in 1998. The CD "Two Guys With Guitars", is available.
KALT'S RESTAURANT March 1994 Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Rick Holmes, Jack This This picture This picture was taken at Jack's "Solo Burner" CD release concert . With them was Ernie Adams -drums, Berkeley Fudge-saxophone, and Jeff Pietrangelo-trumpet. Flamenco guitarist Peter Baime played for the dinner. Jack and Rick worked there as a duo for two years. Thank you Henry Kalt for being one of the best club owners we have worked with.
FIRESIDE JAZZ SERIES November 1983 The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee L-R: Melvin Rhyne, Jack Keyboard virtuoso Keybord virtuoso Melvin Rhyne lived in Milwaukee Wisconsin from 1980- 2000 before moving back to his native Indianapolis. Not only is he an incredible pianist, but Mel was a pioneer of the jazz organ, recording with Wes Montgomery in the 60's. Most recently he is breaking new ground with multiple keyboard perfor-mance. On his 2001 CD, "Tracks", produced by Andy LoDuca and Jack, Mel plays numerous keyboards simultaneously.
COUNTY PARKS JAZZ SERIES July 1975 Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Manty Ellis, Bob DeBlay, Don Momblow, George Pritchett, Skip Crumbey Bey, Jack A legendary concert by five top guitarists there at the time. Someone yelled: "You guys sound like The Ventures on acid."
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN April 1967 Jack Whitney - director Dick Ruedebush - trumpet Jack played the upright bass in his first year of college. Playing jazz on the upright was his transition from rock bass (pictured below) to jazz guitar (pictured above). Trumpet virtuoso Dick Ruedebush had played with The Woody Herman Herd before settling in Waukesha, WI. and leading a band at Tumblebrook Country Club.
THE TRIUMPHS November 1961 West Allis, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin L-R: Jack-bass, Mike Balistierri-guitar, Dennis Zenoni-drums, Bob Zenoni-guitar This band played music by The Ventures and Buddy Holly for 3 years of Fridays at Youth Centers and Saturdays at C.Y.O dances. Dennis had sparkle Slingerland drums. Bob had a Fender Jazzmaster. They now own Uncle Bob's Music in West Allis. Mike had a Harmony archtop and now does a solo act at Florida's Treasure Island. Jack had a Kent bass, and is now the night janitor at Curly's Bait Shop, Fish Creek, Wis.