JACK AND JILL BIOGRAPHIES
My grandfather's band is at the left. His cousin Percy Grassel had a band in Park Falls, Wisconsin. His daughter, Adeline had an all girl big band called "The Sunshine Girls" with Uncle Orley as the vocalist. Aunt Iris's band was "Star and Her Five Points"
At 2 years old, I put my hands over my head to reach the keys on mom's piano. I couldn't see the keys or read music. but could play "by ear". One of my teachers informed me that I could do these things because I had "perfect pitch". Dad saw me having a difficult time with the big piano keys. He bought me a small accordion and lessons. It was easy and fun to play. Two years later he entered me in the American Accordionists Competition in Chicago. Next year, 6 year old "Little Jackie Grassel" got his first paying gigs in the "Bar 0 Ranch Variety Show" playing the pop tunes of the day, I began to win contests and make money playing weddings and showers. This pic was taken after I won the 1959 Wisconsin State competition:
Jim Brusky, the school band director gave me free lessons on upright bass if I would play it in the 6th grade orchestra. The big bass was a challenge but I liked grooving with the rhythm section. Skip Wagner another teacher, formed combos, taught us how to play together and got us paying gigs.
In 1961, THE TRIUMPHS, a popular rock band of 7th graders called. They said if I got a bass guitar I could be in their band. They got good money playing at weekend dances. Frank Cascio at the music store offered a bass guitar and amp if I made payments with my gig money. The bass guitar was fun and didn't hurt my 13 year old fingers. We played the new tunes by The Ventures, Link Wray and Buddy Holly.
Modern Music Store opened. While I was trying out basses, the owner asked if I would teach bass guitar there.
This event begen my life's path, playing and teaching music for a living. At 14 years old, I had a full schedule of students and 3 gigs per week.
In high school, we added horn players, a vocalist and a new name.
THE RIVIERAS played "black music" by James Brown, Bobby Bland and The Isley Brothers. I supported myself with an exciting life playing every night in downtown bars 1966-67. My bass and amp lived in the trunk of my '62 Chevy convertible.
In 1961, THE TRIUMPHS, a popular rock band of 7th graders called. They said if I got a bass guitar I could be in their band. They got good money playing at weekend dances. Frank Cascio at the music store offered a bass guitar and amp if I made payments with my gig money. The bass guitar was fun and didn't hurt my 13 year old fingers. We played the new tunes by The Ventures, Link Wray and Buddy Holly.
Modern Music Store opened. While I was trying out basses, the owner asked if I would teach bass guitar there.
This event begen my life's path, playing and teaching music for a living. At 14 years old, I had a full schedule of students and 3 gigs per week.
In high school, we added horn players, a vocalist and a new name.
THE RIVIERAS played "black music" by James Brown, Bobby Bland and The Isley Brothers. I supported myself with an exciting life playing every night in downtown bars 1966-67. My bass and amp lived in the trunk of my '62 Chevy convertible.
In 1968, after 2 years in college, I walked past DISCOUNT RECORDS and heard outrageous jazz music. Many days were spent with the clerk, Mitchell Covic, who played records and explained it's history. I put $30 on the counter. He chose 15 records from the 2 dollar discount bin to start my jazz education.
Click links to listen: Africa-John Coltrane / Alfie-Sonny Rollins
Bebop Revisited-Charles McPherson / / Soul People-Sonny Stitt
The Song Book-Booker Ervin / Capuchin Swing-Jackie McLean
My world changed. I bought a guitar to practice 15 hours a day for 6 months, Soon I was working again as a full time musician, now on guitar.
From 1965 to 1982, I worked 10-27 gigs per week, 2-7 gigs per day: broadway shows, backing stars on tour, playing rock, blues, jazz, country and ragtime in bars, classical music in symphonies,10 jazz concerts per week in schools, TV / radio commercials in recording studios. and The Larry The Legend radio band each morning at 7am. After early gigs in the Ringling Brothers Circus band or Holiday on Ice, I'd run a few blocks with my guitar for a 10:30 pm six night a week jazz gig at The Pfister Hotel. I had amps chained to stages all over the city. 1982 generated 522 gigs for me,
Click links to listen: Africa-John Coltrane / Alfie-Sonny Rollins
Bebop Revisited-Charles McPherson / / Soul People-Sonny Stitt
The Song Book-Booker Ervin / Capuchin Swing-Jackie McLean
My world changed. I bought a guitar to practice 15 hours a day for 6 months, Soon I was working again as a full time musician, now on guitar.
From 1965 to 1982, I worked 10-27 gigs per week, 2-7 gigs per day: broadway shows, backing stars on tour, playing rock, blues, jazz, country and ragtime in bars, classical music in symphonies,10 jazz concerts per week in schools, TV / radio commercials in recording studios. and The Larry The Legend radio band each morning at 7am. After early gigs in the Ringling Brothers Circus band or Holiday on Ice, I'd run a few blocks with my guitar for a 10:30 pm six night a week jazz gig at The Pfister Hotel. I had amps chained to stages all over the city. 1982 generated 522 gigs for me,
In 1983, disco recorded music began to replace live music. The studio and show work, daytime gigs and 6 night a week bar gigs stopped due to AIDS, fear of second hand smoke, drunk driving laws and home based TV entertainment. Ron Reagan eliminated aid to the arts. My 10-22 gigs per week for 17 years dwindled to 2 gigs a week. Many musicians got non-music "day jobs". The era of full-time professional musicians ended. I took a position at a college as head of the music program. I played jazz 2 nights per week, wrote 8 books and recorded 10 CDs during 21 years there. The Dean of Fine Arts wanted me to be seen practicing 2 hours a day in my office as an example for the students.
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE'S KEVIN LYNCH recalls a great adventure with Jack. Click here: McCoy yelled out, "take it Jack..." Jack Grassel remembers McCoy Tyner first hand
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE'S KEVIN LYNCH recalls a great adventure with Jack. Click here: McCoy yelled out, "take it Jack..." Jack Grassel remembers McCoy Tyner first hand
JILL JENSEN'S memorable expressive voice, stands out grabbing the attention of listeners on radio television throughout the world. Since 2008, Jill has enjoyed acting roles of 'Mama' in the Carol Burnett Show, 'Geraldine' from Laugh In, and a singing English spy with the award-winning WGTD Radio Theatre Players, Wisconsin's longest running LIVE broadcast of old time radio, replete with original scripts.
Ms. Jensen acts on the second season of THE JOE PERA SHOW. She is also seen on GEORGE FORMAN GRILL and CULVER'S commercials and for 9 years on TV for SCHAEFFER PONTIAC. She toured The Soviet Union with RACINE THEATER GUILD in the stage production of ROUGH CROSSING and was seen in the production of COME TO THE FIVE AND DIME JIMMY DEAN JIMMY DEAN.
" In 1998, the vocalist / actress / TV personality married Jack Grassel and discovered that special music can be made by 2 people in love.
She recorded 5 CDs with him. They work extensively as the duo JACK AND JILL JAZZ giving no-holds-barred performances. Onstage the couple displays both their impressive improvising abilities and telepathic interplay. The music is aggressive and filled with creative surprises.
In 2013 to give Jill the musical backing she deserves, Jack built the "triple neck, mandolin-guitar-bass."
Contact Jill to be a Spokesperson or Emcee at your Special Event - 262 552 4012. She remains active as a voice talent in speaking engagements, recorded narrations, radio and television commercials. She is a signed talent with Lori Lin Talent Management.
Listen to the Jill Jensen Voice Over demo Listen to the Jill Jensen Narration demo
Ms. Jensen acts on the second season of THE JOE PERA SHOW. She is also seen on GEORGE FORMAN GRILL and CULVER'S commercials and for 9 years on TV for SCHAEFFER PONTIAC. She toured The Soviet Union with RACINE THEATER GUILD in the stage production of ROUGH CROSSING and was seen in the production of COME TO THE FIVE AND DIME JIMMY DEAN JIMMY DEAN.
" In 1998, the vocalist / actress / TV personality married Jack Grassel and discovered that special music can be made by 2 people in love.
She recorded 5 CDs with him. They work extensively as the duo JACK AND JILL JAZZ giving no-holds-barred performances. Onstage the couple displays both their impressive improvising abilities and telepathic interplay. The music is aggressive and filled with creative surprises.
In 2013 to give Jill the musical backing she deserves, Jack built the "triple neck, mandolin-guitar-bass."
Contact Jill to be a Spokesperson or Emcee at your Special Event - 262 552 4012. She remains active as a voice talent in speaking engagements, recorded narrations, radio and television commercials. She is a signed talent with Lori Lin Talent Management.
Listen to the Jill Jensen Voice Over demo Listen to the Jill Jensen Narration demo