Jack and Jill 262-552-4012 VM only
JackandJilljazz@ gmail.com
A sad announcement from Jill Jensen:
My shining star, light of my life, is extinguished. My beloved husband and partner in music and life, Jack Grassel died on August 26, 2026. His closest family were there to say their loving goodbyes. I held him, stroked his hair, and whispered "I love you Jack" as he took his last breath. My wonderful, strong, daughter Beth was beside me.
Jack was in the automobile accident which claimed the lives of two people that same day. Because of the nature of the accident, I was not at liberty to let everyone know the identities of those involved in the crash nor could I discuss details. It was hard not to share this horrible news. I appreciate all of you respecting not just my privacy, but also the privacy of the other person and their family as they grieve the loss of their loved one. We all send them our prayers.
It is now proven that Jack was not conscious and suffered a fatal medical event leading to the horrific collision. He never felt any pain. I am thankful beyond words for that.
I thank Froedtert Flight for Life, Intensive Care and Caledonia Police for their kindness and empathy toward us. I thank my incredible tribe of family and friends sharing all this with me and helping. Too many to name.
Jack loved me with the deepest parts of his soul, and I loved him the same. While I know that I am not the only person who has lost a soulmate, it still feels surreal. As we try to navigate through our feelings, I want to share that the best way to honor Jack is by being kind and giving.
Since his stroke January of 2025, he radiated more tender love and appreciation to all he knew more than ever before. It's as if he knew he had to get it out in time. None of us are promised tomorrow, and I know some will read this and think it doesn’t apply to them. None of us are immune to this reality.
Honor him by understanding that music is something we make, not own. Please listen more carefully to others and strive to be part of creating harmony and joy. Hug more. Say I’m sorry more. Reach out to a loved one more. Help those in need more. Most of all, love as much as you are able, and say it as much as it can leave your lips. Sorry to be preachy. I feel this so fiercely right now.
Thank you in advance for all your messages, care and support toward me and our family in the loss of such an amazing human being. His beautiful, brilliant, glorious, body will be cremated. His spirit and music will live forever. There will be a celebration of his life On October 18 in Racine, WI. Love Jill
Here is the formal obituary for Jack Grassel at https://www.wilsonfuneralhomeinc.com/obituaries/jack-grassel:
Jack Richard Grassel, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI.
Jack was born on September 3, 1948, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Lawrence and Ruth (nee Rinas) Grassel. Music was like breathing to Jack, who as a toddler would reach up to the piano keys to copy the music on the radio. His first paid concert was at age 6. His extraordinary musical abilities, especially on guitar, and perfect pitch, enabled him to forge new paths as a genre-bending multi-instrumentalist, mastering 7 instruments.
In 1983, as Chairman, he designed the Music Occupations Department at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) spawning a legion of successful students through his passion, humor and example. He’s known for his 21 CD’s, 70 compositions, 12 Industry awards, and 23 Instruction books. After 20 years and a major illness in 2004, he retired from MATC but never retired from music.
Jack invented a three-neck guitar hybrid which combined necks for bass guitar, six-string guitar and mandolin. He typically sang and played all three in a performance along with keyboard and harmonica. A rigorous practitioner of his craft, he practiced daily for hours. Jack never stopped learning about music.
Among the scores of renowned artists Grassel performed live with were Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Jay Leno, Nancy Wilson, Cab Calloway, Tom Jones, Doc Severinson, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra from 1969 to 2003. Jack’s influence will remain a positive force on the musical landscape of the world.
On December 29, 1999, Jack married the love of his life, singer/actress Jill Jensen, making Racine their home. The love between them expanded the dimensions of their magical music. They performed mostly as a duo from 1998, all over the Americas, on Isla Mujeres, Mexico from 2000-2020 in winter, to their last SRO concert on August 16, 2026 at Villa Terrace Museum in Milwaukee.
It is an understatement that Jack will be missed by his beloved wife, Jill Jensen; his stepdaughter, Elizabeth Schram; his grandchildren, Ethan Grassel, Oliver Grassel, Gabrielle Schram, and Gunnar Schram; his brothers, Steve (Lori) Grassel, Scott (Beverly) Grassel, and Michael (Rose Hsiung) Grassel; former wife Mary Grassel, as well as many other family members and dear friends.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his two sons, Andrew Grassel and Benjamin Grassel.
Jack leaves behind a lasting legacy through his music and books, his students who are now world class musicians, and most importantly, the love he shared with his family and friends.
On October 18, from 1-4pm, at 3 Acres Banquet Hall, 5844 Douglas Avenue, Caledonia, WI 53402, we will celebrate Jack’s life with an informal gathering to offer condolences to his family, to share sympathy and favorite joyful memories.
Jack and Jill videos:
Mas Que Nada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCuvpbCZU10
On And On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZqg6uyq-hs
Don't Wait Too Long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNFIEKGSExI
Be Cool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JBI9XFHUho
Two Little Words https://www.youtube.com/watch?=1M1bAD8X5rg
A Sunday Kind of Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRShaAOUlQ
I Don't Worry About a Thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V8W_sJE8SU
Jack's videos:
All The Things You Are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rtadaVqbnQ
Giant Steps soloing with harmonics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A8BRmW1tag
Last Dance of the Samurai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4HixLWg1Ks
Jack with triple neck and drummer Kevin Hayden
Jack and Jill Bios https://www.jackgrasseljilljensen.com/jack-and-jill-autobiography.html
"Few duos in music history are on the level of Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen. They give a no-holds-barred entertaining jazz and blues show using familiar pop tunes to display their impressive improvising skills and telepathic interplay. The music is honest, aggressive and filled with creative surprises". Jack has refined his abilities to play many instruments . "Jill sounds consistently beautiful while gliding through tricky melodies and complex chord changes with ease. The result is a very big sound from two people"
When James Brown's drummer Clyde Stubblefield. and Wes Montgomery's organist Mel Rhyne and Buddy Montgomery moved to Wisconsin, Jack played many concerts with them and saxophone virtuoso Berklee Fudge, Louis Bellson, Fabian, Nancy Wilson, Eartha Kitt,Tom Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Rosemary Clooney,
Vic Damone, Trini Lopez, Bobby Vinton,Crystal Gayle, Donna Fargo, Lainie Kazan, Bob Newhart, Marvin Hamlisch, Bob Hope, Anna Marie Alberghetti, and many Broadway musicals on tour. Jack studied with jazz guitar legends Tal Farlow, Jimmy Wyble, George Van Eps, George Pritchett, and Billy Bauer. He studied improvisation with Dave Holland, Lloyd Garber AND Joe Daley and composition with John Cage and Ted Ashford. Jack played the Disney Pixar Show on 6 instruments, The Lawrence Welk Show on tour. In The Barnum and Bailey Circus band, Holiday on Ice. concerts with The Milwaukee, Fox Valley and Green Bay Symphony Orchestras. Jack accompanied Maureen McGovern, Percy Faith, Phyllis Newman, Fabio Armaroli, McCoy Tyner, Jim Webb, Sig Millonzi, Tommy Sheridan, Lukas Foss, Al Martino, John Gary and many Broadway shows on tour: Annie, Timbuktu, Hello Dolly, Jacque Brel is Alive and Well, and Man of La Mancha.
Jack and Jill received five W.A.M.I. (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) awards and two Shepherd Express "Best of Milwaukee" awards.
SHOP the Jack Grassel secure webstore: https://www.jackgrasseljilljensen.com/store/c2/jazz
