
My Grandpa Joe's band is at the left. His brother Ruby also had a band. Listen to his records on youtube click this link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ruby+grassel Aunt Adeline had an all girl band called "The Sunshine Girls" with Uncle Orley as the vocalist. Aunt Iris's band was "Star and Her Five Points". Uncle Percy Grassel also had a band in Park Falls, Wisconsin. "If Percy didn't play for your wedding, you weren't married".
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". Dad saw me having a difficult time with the big piano keys. He bought me a little accordion and lessons. It was easy and fun. Two years later he entered me in the American Accordionists Competition in Chicago. Then at age 6, I got my first paying gigs in the "Bar 0 Ranch Show" playing the pop tunes of the day, I began to win contests and make money playing weddings and showers. Some of my teachers informed me that I could do these things quickly because I had "perfect pitch". Until then, I thought everybody could hear these things like I could. Eventually I met a very few that had it.
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". Dad saw me having a difficult time with the big piano keys. He bought me a little accordion and lessons. It was easy and fun. Two years later he entered me in the American Accordionists Competition in Chicago. Then at age 6, I got my first paying gigs in the "Bar 0 Ranch Show" playing the pop tunes of the day, I began to win contests and make money playing weddings and showers. Some of my teachers informed me that I could do these things quickly because I had "perfect pitch". Until then, I thought everybody could hear these things like I could. Eventually I met a very few that had it.

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. Photo after winning the 1959 Wisconsin State Accordian Competition at age 11:
In 1961, THE TRIUMPHS, a popular rock band of 7th graders said if I got a bass guitar I could be in their band. They made good money playing at weekend dances. Frank Cascio at the music store offered a bass guitar and amp if I made weekly payments. The bass guitar was fun and didn't hurt my 12 year old fingers. We played 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 said if I got a bass guitar I could be in their band. They made good money playing at weekend dances. Frank Cascio at the music store offered a bass guitar and amp if I made weekly payments. The bass guitar was fun and didn't hurt my 12 year old fingers. We played 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 of 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.
My world changed. I bought a guitar and practiced 15 hours a day for 6 months, Soon I was working again as a full time musician, now on guitar in addition to bass.
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 inThe 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. My peak year was 1982 generating 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 a few gigs per 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. The Dean of Fine Arts wanted me to be seen practicing 2 hours a day in my office as an example for the students. I wrote 8 books and recorded 10 CDs during my 21 years there and played
jazz in bars 3 nights per week.
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE'S KEVIN LYNCH recalls an adventure with Jack.
Click here: McCoy Tyner yelled out, "take it Jack..."

JILL JENSEN'S expressive voice, grabs the attention of listeners on radio & television throughout the world. At 1 year old, learning to talk while singing along with records, her first words were: "See my pretty dress. Where's the music?" (She's just older now but nothing has changed.) Jill has enjoyed the 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 with original scripts.
Ms. Jensen acts on the second season of THE JOE PERA SHOW. She is also seen on GEORGE FORMAN GRILL, CULVER'S and FROEDERT HOSPITAL commercials and for 9 years on TV for SCHAEFFER PONTIAC. She toured The Soviet Union with RACINE THEATER GUILD in the stage productions of ROUGH CROSSING and 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" combining it with his harmonica, piano, drum and singing skills.
Contact Ms. Jensen 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 Management.
Ms. Jensen acts on the second season of THE JOE PERA SHOW. She is also seen on GEORGE FORMAN GRILL, CULVER'S and FROEDERT HOSPITAL commercials and for 9 years on TV for SCHAEFFER PONTIAC. She toured The Soviet Union with RACINE THEATER GUILD in the stage productions of ROUGH CROSSING and 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" combining it with his harmonica, piano, drum and singing skills.
Contact Ms. Jensen 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 Management.