Atwater Park Concert
June 2011 Shorewood, Wisconsin
Dave Bayles-drums, John Price-bass, Jack-guitar (Johnny Padilla-sax, David Stoller-piano: not in picture)
It was 57 degrees here on the shore of Lake Michigan. The audience was wrapped in blankets while they cheered the band. The repertoire was the compostions of Mr. Padilla
Jamey Aebersold's Studio
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April 2009 New Albany, Indiana
Jonathan Higgins-drums, Butch Neeld-bass, Jamey Aebersold-alto sax, Jack-guitar
Traveling to a gig on the East Coast, Jack stopped to eat lunch with Jamey, tour his facility and play music. Jamey demonstrated his multitasking by playing sax and piano, operating recording equipment, answering emails, and photographing without missing a beat of music. Visit this important man at www.jameyaebersold.com
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Musicians Institute
February 2009 Hollywood, California
L-R: Jimmy Wyble, Jack, Sid Jacobs
Jack spent a day teaching, attending Mr. Wyble's classes, and jamming with Sid, Jimmy and students. Mr. Wyble wrote unique books on countrapuntal jazz. David Oakes has made all of Jimmy's writings available at ww.davidoakesguitar.com. Sid has a book on creating the Bill Evans piano style on guitar. Visit Sid at www.sidjacobs.com
Summer Sizzle Jazz Festival
August 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jack & Kirk Tatnall - superguitars, Dane Richeson - drums
On tour for the "GHOST RIDGE" CD: Jack and Kirk have created custom guitars which allow them to play bass and guitar simultaneously. Jack plays bass and chords while Kirk solos. Kirk plays bass and chords while Jack solos. They have been playing together for about 20 years. A lot of guitar "fire power" in one band. And the drummer gets to play with two bass players during one gig. The repertoire of this band is Jack's 70 compositions. Visit Kirk at www.kirktatnall.com
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 many musicians including Nori Cox. The "Live @ The Uptowner" CD was recorded there on a Sunday night with Ernie Adams & Kirk Tatnall. "Steve the clubowner, "John the Bartender" and countless regulars supported Jack's bands which enabled the music to grow. Visit Jill Jensen at www.jilljensen.com
Salamone's
December, 2005 Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
L-R: Randy Knackert, Jack
The band "45 RPM" opened the concert with a firey set of rock and roll. Jack and vocalist Jill Jensen joined them 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 Party
May, 2005 Bermuda
L-R: Jack, Hod O'Brian, Steph Nakasian
Jack was working on getting his technique back after a Staph infection almost killed him in March of 2004. Jill surprised him with a one hour's notice of this concert. He hadn't played for months but rose to the occasion by playing an aggressive set with pianist Hod and vocalist Stephanie. Jill did Jack a favor by getting him back on stage again. . This renewed Jack's interest in music which resulted in him practicing again. Visit Hod at www.hodobrien.com and Stephanie at www.singers.com
Summerfest Jazz Stage
July 1, 2003 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Chuck Howard Superband (Trombone virtuoso Mr. Howard in black)
Jack worked 25 years with Chuck playing custom Walt Stuart charts. The finest player available was in each position. It was essentially a guitar trio (Jack, bassist Tom McGirr, drummer Mike Lorenz) with 10 horn players.
WLC Jazz Festival
August, 2002 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
L-R: Ed Thigpen, Jack, John Price (not in picture)
Jack and bassist John Price accompanied Mr. Thigpen for a concert at Wisconsin Lutheran College playing Ed's tunes exclusively. They played the two previous nites at Caroline's Jazz Club. Jill Jensen sang "Denise", Ed's tribute to his daughter. Mr. Thigpen "brought down the house" playing melodies with his elbow on his small tom while John and Jack played "that goofy funk vamp".
"Music Everywhere" Concert
July, 2002, Chicago, Illinois
L-R: Paul Wertico, Marlene Rosenburg, Jack
For one awesome summer, the mayor of Chicago created a budget for musicians to play hundreds of concerts on streets all over the city. Paul arrived by bus with a snare and cymbal. Marlene was great at sight reading Jack's compositions. Visit www.paulwertico.com and www.marlenerosenburg.com
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." Visit Jill at www.jilljensen.com
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 important "free jazz" record"Crosscurrents". Here at 88, in his teaching studio, he's showing Jack his chord system. They jammed on "All the Things You Are" and Mr. Bauer sounded great: He was a very musical and creative guitarist. Billy Bauer's guitar books and autobiography have been reprinted and are currently available at www.billybauersmusic.com
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
March, 2000, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
L-R: Perry Petta-piano, John Price-bass, Jack
This trio played every Friday and Saturday for seven years in a wonderful glass walled room called "Blu" on the 23rd floor of this historic hotel.
Caroline's Jazz Club
March, 2000, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
L-R: Jack, Bill Martin
During this concert, the electricity went off. Clubowner Caroline immediately lit candles. Jack and Bill left the stage, sat in the audience and played accoustically. The ever cheerful bartender Scott distributed free drinks. The audience listened quietly while the duo ran through a set of standards. Photographer Augie Ray was there with his camera to capture the moment.
National Guitar Workshop
August, 1997, New Milford, Connecticut
L-R: Jack, Tal Farlow
From 1994 to 1998 Jack was on the faculty at NGW. 500 guitarists jumped to their feet cheering after the last tune of Tal's final concert. Mr. Farlow had a unique style using the many techniques he pioneered. Jack studied with Tal from 1993 until his passing in 1998. The CD "Two Guys With Guitars", is available here . recorded at Tal's house and mastered by Ramie Espinosa at Firebird Studios.
Kalt's Restaurant
March, 1994, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
L-R: Rick Holmes, Jack
This picture was taken at Jack's "Solo Burner" CD release concert. "Solo "Burner" was Jack's first solo guitar CD which is still available. With them that day was Ernie Adams -drums, Berkeley Fudge-saxophone, and Jeff Pietrangelo-trumpet. Flamenco guitarist Peter Baime played for the dinner. Jack and Rick worked at Kalt's as a duo for two years. Thank you Henry Kalt for being one of the best club owners we have worked with.
The Fireside Jazz Series
November, 1983, The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
L-R: Melvin Rhyne, Jack
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 performance. On his 1998 CD "Tracks" with Jack, drummer Andy LoDuca, and trumpeter Jeff Pietrangelo, Mr. Rhyne plays numerous keyboards simultaneously.
The County Parks Jazz Series
July, 1975, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
L-R: Guitarists Manty Ellis, Bob DeBlay, Don Momblow, George Pritchett, bassist Skip Crumbey Bey, Jack Grassel, and drummer Dave Ruetz (not in picture).
A legendary concert by the five top guitarists in Milwaukee at that time. Someone in the audience yelled: "You guys sound like The Ventures on acid." As a teenager in his formative years, Jack studied with both George Pritchett and Don Momblow. They moved to Florida and performed as a duo until their passing.
The 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.
Ron and the Continentals
July, 1963
This band played for 2 years of Fridays at Youth Centers and Saturdays at C.Y.O dances. The repertoire was the pop music of the day: Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard. Jack played bass in this band. Check out his new "yellow face" 1964 Fender Bassman amp. He's playing one of the first Japanese basses, a Kent. Bob the guitarist is playing through a 1963 Fender Showman with a 12 inch JBL which was a groundbreaking new speaker.
Jack's Birth Day
September 3, 1948, 2:30pm, Mount Sinai Hospital Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Here's Jack with the first Stratocaster guitar. He's playing in public the very first time after practicing privately for nine months. He's crying because he wasn't getting the sound he wanted from the single coil pickups. His mother sent the guitar off to Leo Fender because she heard Leo was looking for a new guitar design. Leo marketed his first Stratocaster based on this design six years later. Jack's mom replaced the Strat with a Gibson Les Paul with humbuckers which Jack still plays today.
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