BOOKS as author:
Guitar Seeds, The Guitarist's Guide to the Jazz Ensemble, Monster Chops, Super Ax, Jazz Rhythm Guitar, Power Practicing,
Eric Clapton Unplugged, Super Ax, KISS For Easy Guitar, The Best of Andrew Lloyd Weber, The Mark Whitfield Collection, Big Ax,
Jazz Guitar Favorites, Jazz Guitar Classics, Jazz Guitar Standards, 131 Daily Axercises, The Brain Training CD, The Top 20 Jazz Guitar Lessons DVD, 70 Jazz Compositions by Jack Grassel, The Reharmonized Real Book.
RECORDINGS as leader:
1973 - Matrix, 1986 - Magic Cereal, 1987 - Music Lingo, 1989 - If You're Too Crazy, 1993 - Christmas Presence, 1994 - Thunderstones,
1995 - Bob And Jack: What We Do, 1996 - The Adventures of Jack and Hans, 1997 - Solo Burner, 1998 - 10, 2001 - Two Guys With Guitars, 2002 - Guitar Smoke, 2003 - Live @ The Uptowner, 2005 - Ghost Ridge, 2006 - It's About The Music, 2009 - El Refugio,
2010 - Live @ The Carlton Grange, 2015 - Jack 2015, 2017 - Jack and Jill Jazz, 2018 - Snow People
PERFORMANCES - Jack's 1st concert at age 4 was in Washington Park's Concert Series. At age 6 he became a paid performer with The Bar O Ranch Show, He has played over 15,000 performances leading his own bands and with these name artists:
Tal Farlow, Lucas Foss, Melvin Rhyne, Tom Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Colin Loman, Maureen McGovern, John Gary, Rosemary Clooney,
Al Martino, Bob Hope, Fabian, Nancy Wilson, Jay Leno, Patti LuPone, Rose Marie, Buddy Montgomery, Barry Harris, Bob Newhart,
Harold Jones, Doc Severinson, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Kenneth Schermerhorn, Trini Lopez, The Triumphs, Roy McCurdy,
The Barnum and Baily Circus, Joel Grey, The Drifters, The Four Lads, Lucy Arnaz, Vic Damone, Bobby Rydel, Theodore Bikel, Patti Page,
Jimmy Rodgers, Henny Youngman, Roger Williams, Carol Channing, Pete Barbutti, Terry Meeuwsen, John Raitt, Melody Top Theater,
Freda Payne, The Marvelettes, Eartha Kitt, Marlena Shaw, Rufus Ried, Herschel Bernardi, Sam Belton, Anna Marie Alberghetti, Duane Dee,
Louis Bellson, Percy Faith, Rita Moreno, Martha Ray, Dick Contino, Jerry Vale, Jimmy Webb, McCoy Tyner, Michael Feinstein,
Scott DuBois, Bobby Vinton, June Valli, Donna Fargo, Debbie Reynolds, Frankie Laine, Berkeley Fudge, Donald O'Connor, Cubby O'Brien, Buster Williams, David Benoit, Bob Russell, Kirk Tatnall, Chad Mitchell, Andy LoDuca, Kenny Kotwitz, Jeff Pietrangelo, Hans Sturm,
Mamie Van Doren, John Price, Lana Cantrell, Helen O'Connell, The Four Aces, Lou Soloff, Verne Meisner, Don Gralak, Patsy Tighe,
Slide Hampton, The Chuck Howard Superband, Lainie Kazan, Paul Wertico, Jerry Van Dyke, Margaret Whiting, Jill Jensen, Mark Egan,
Cab Calloway, Dane Richesen, Clyde Stubblefield, Phyllis Newman, The Disney Pixar Show, Fabio Armaroli, Steve Nelson-Raney,
Cliff Fredricksen, Louie Bashell, Jack Wilkins, Darlene Love & The Crystals, WHAT ON EARTH?, Southern Illinois University Jazz ensemble,
Marvin Hamlisch, The Racine Choral Arts Society and The Milwaukee, Fox Valley, Green Bay, Sheboygan and Southwest Suburban Symphony Orchestras and The Holiday On Ice Orchestra.
WRITINGS in publications:
Guitar Player Magazine, Music Ed Magic, Art Muscle, Just Jazz Guitar, City Edition, Madison Music Coop, Minneapolis Jazz News,
MUSICAL THEATER in the orchestra:
Man of La Mancha, Pippin, Hello Dolly, Rent, Timbuktu, The Cry, No No Nanette, Working, Promises Promises, Island, West Side Story, Annie, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well, Bye Bye Birdie, Shenandoa, Anything Goes, The Golden Door, Fiddler on the Roof,
The Rise And Fall of Mahagonny, The Disney Pixar Show, The Little Shop of Horrors, Mame.
TEACHING - Jack taught college theory, harmony, composition, ear training, combo performance, recording, big band arranging, improvisation, music business, teaching techniques, music history and most instruments:
2019 - present - live skype lessons worldwide
2018 Oak Creek High School - guest artist
2014 - 2017 Wilson Center Guitar Competition - adjudicator, seminarist
2014 Kettle Moraine High School - presenter, career day
2013 University of Wisconsin Parkside - history of The Rolling Stones class
2012 Mundelein Jazz Festival - adjudicator, teacher, performer
2011 - 2013 Vandercook College - teaching techniques instructor
2009, 2010 Musicians Institute Los Angeles
2006, 2007 Western Illinois University - guest artist, instructor
2003 - 2007 Wisconsin Lutheran College - guitar instructor
1999 - 2005 Hofner Guitar Company - clinician
1995 - 1998 National Guitar Workshop Jazz Summit
1993 Berklee School of Music - guest artist
1991 Gibson Guitar Company - clinician, competition adjudicator
1987 Birch Creek Music Center - guest artist, guitar instructor
1983 - 2004 Milwaukee Area Technical College - Music department chairman
1981 Millikan University- guest artist
1976 University of Wisconsin Whitewater - adjunct faculty
1971 - 1989 Young Audiences of Wisconsin - creator and presenter of hundreds of educational jazz concerts in schools
1971 - 1984 Wisconsin Conservatory of Music - co-creator of college jazz degree program and inventor of a unique jazz ear training.
1965 - 1971 Cascio School of Music - guitar, bass, piano and banjo instructor
1962 - 1966 Modern Music School - guitar, bass, piano and accordion instructor (1st teaching gig at age 14)
AWARDS & HONORS:
2025 Female Vocalist of the Year - Jill nominated
2025 Original Band/Act: Pop - General - The Jack Grassel Jill Jensen Duo
2023 Miscellaneous Instrument - "The Triple Neck" - W.A.M.I Award nomination
2023 Jazz Vocalist of the Year - Jill Jensen - W.A.M.I Award nomination
2018 Wisconsin Riffs book - Jazz Profiles from the Heartland - 4 pages on Jack
2017 Best Float Band - 2nd place - Brookfield July 4 parade - Jack w/ Jim Madritch Band
2016 Jazz Artists of the Year - Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2015 Jazz Artists of the Year - Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2015 Guitarist of the Year - Wisconsin Area Music Industry W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2013 The Great Jazz Guitarists Book - Author Scott Yanow writes about Jack
2012 Jazz Artist of the Year - Shepherd Express "Best of Milwaukee" Award nomination
2012 Memorable Instructor - Milwaukee Area Technical College
2009 Jazz Artist of the Year - Shepherd Express Readers Award "Best of Milwaukee"
2008 Jazz Artist of the Year - Wisconsin Area Music Industry W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2008 Guitarist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2007 Jazz Artists of the Year - Jill Jensen & Jack Grassel, W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2007 Guitarist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
2007 Jazz Artist of the Year - Shepherd Express Readers Award "Best of Milwaukee"
2007 Traditional Jazz Group of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2007 CD Recording of the Year - "It's About The Music" Jack Grassel & Jill Jensen W.A.M.I. nomination
2007 Song of the Year - W.A.M.I. - nomination "Song For Your Mother", composed by Jack, sung by Jill Jensen
2004 The Courage Award - presented to Jack by the music students of Milwaukee Area Technical College
2003 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
2003 Guitarist of the Year W.A.M.I. - Award nomination
2001 Favorite Female Vocalist - Jill Jensen - Journal Times Readers Poll
2001 Best Jazz Duo - Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen - Music On Kinnikinnic (M.O.K.K.A.) Award - 1st place
2001 Jill Jensen - Dedicated Service Award - Racine Unitied Way
2000 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
2000 Jill Jensen - Favorite Female Vocalist - Journal Times Readers' Poll
2000 "One of The 10 Best Guitarists in America, you probably don't know" - Guitar One Magazine
1998 Mandolinist of the Year - W.A.M.l. Award nomination
1998 Jill Jensen - Outstanding Performance - TCI Media
1996 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
1996 Who's Who of America's Teachers
1996 Midwest Jazz Master - Award nomination
1994 Guitarist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
1992 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
1989 Grammy nomination - Best Classical Album - "Paradigm" by Lukas Foss with Jack on guitar.
1986 Showcase For New Talent - Guitar Player Magazine
1965 The Sheboygan Battle of The Bands - 1st place
1964 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 2nd place
1961 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 3rd place
1960 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 1st place
1959 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 1st place
1953 American Accordionists Association contest - 2nd division certificate at 5 years old.
ENDORSEMENTS:
Vine cables, George L cables, Surf Picks, Tone Tek Picks, Moshay picks, Claris and Walter Woods amps, Fender speakers, Peavey microphones. Pinkalla Auto Solutions repairs the gig mobile, Lincoln Music Company, supplies and repairs our equipment.
We show up on time for gigs thanks to tires on our gig mobile from O'Brien's Tire.
JAZZ COMPOSITIONS:
Jack's book of 70 pieces is available on our shopping cart. 43 have been recorded on his CDs.
COMMERCIAL COMPOSITIONS FOR TV AND RADIO:
United Airlines, Hub Chrysler, Wagner's Orange Juice, Rippin' Good Cookies, Mirro Aluminum, Graf's Beverages,
Security Savings and Loan, Natural Ovens Bread, Milwaukee Transit System, The Kohler Company, Foster Pontiac,
Marshall and Ilsley Bank, Pewaukee Mattress, Milwaukee Area Technical College, The Black Nouveau TV Theme,
The Grand Avenue Mall 5th Anniversary Concert (Jack composed and directed his piece for 5 grand pianos).
RECORDINGS as side man & arranger:
Seems Like Dreams (Jill Jensen), Tracks (Mel Rhyne), I Said (Del Bennet, Chris Kringel), Secret of Life (Ellen Winters)
Words (Wisconsin Songwriters Collection), Live at The Uptowner (Jerry Grillo), Shag Bark Hickory Spirit (Kristi Kay Cowles), Strictly Solo (6 Milwaukee Gutiarists), Rebound Baby (Ron and The Continentals), Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, (Lucas Foss)
EDUCATION - Thanks to these fine role model teachers for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for music;
George Van Epp, Tal Farlow, Billy Bauer, Jimmy Wyble, Lloyd Garber, Jim Brusky, Skip Wagner, Joe Daley, Dave Holland, Jack Whitney, Spike Micale, Don Momblow, Ted Ashford, George Pritchett, Emile De Cosmo, Roy Plum, Roger Ruggieri, Don Grzanna, Bill Ruddy,
Conrad Kish and Carl Foerster.
Guitar Seeds, The Guitarist's Guide to the Jazz Ensemble, Monster Chops, Super Ax, Jazz Rhythm Guitar, Power Practicing,
Eric Clapton Unplugged, Super Ax, KISS For Easy Guitar, The Best of Andrew Lloyd Weber, The Mark Whitfield Collection, Big Ax,
Jazz Guitar Favorites, Jazz Guitar Classics, Jazz Guitar Standards, 131 Daily Axercises, The Brain Training CD, The Top 20 Jazz Guitar Lessons DVD, 70 Jazz Compositions by Jack Grassel, The Reharmonized Real Book.
RECORDINGS as leader:
1973 - Matrix, 1986 - Magic Cereal, 1987 - Music Lingo, 1989 - If You're Too Crazy, 1993 - Christmas Presence, 1994 - Thunderstones,
1995 - Bob And Jack: What We Do, 1996 - The Adventures of Jack and Hans, 1997 - Solo Burner, 1998 - 10, 2001 - Two Guys With Guitars, 2002 - Guitar Smoke, 2003 - Live @ The Uptowner, 2005 - Ghost Ridge, 2006 - It's About The Music, 2009 - El Refugio,
2010 - Live @ The Carlton Grange, 2015 - Jack 2015, 2017 - Jack and Jill Jazz, 2018 - Snow People
PERFORMANCES - Jack's 1st concert at age 4 was in Washington Park's Concert Series. At age 6 he became a paid performer with The Bar O Ranch Show, He has played over 15,000 performances leading his own bands and with these name artists:
Tal Farlow, Lucas Foss, Melvin Rhyne, Tom Jones, Luciano Pavarotti, Colin Loman, Maureen McGovern, John Gary, Rosemary Clooney,
Al Martino, Bob Hope, Fabian, Nancy Wilson, Jay Leno, Patti LuPone, Rose Marie, Buddy Montgomery, Barry Harris, Bob Newhart,
Harold Jones, Doc Severinson, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Kenneth Schermerhorn, Trini Lopez, The Triumphs, Roy McCurdy,
The Barnum and Baily Circus, Joel Grey, The Drifters, The Four Lads, Lucy Arnaz, Vic Damone, Bobby Rydel, Theodore Bikel, Patti Page,
Jimmy Rodgers, Henny Youngman, Roger Williams, Carol Channing, Pete Barbutti, Terry Meeuwsen, John Raitt, Melody Top Theater,
Freda Payne, The Marvelettes, Eartha Kitt, Marlena Shaw, Rufus Ried, Herschel Bernardi, Sam Belton, Anna Marie Alberghetti, Duane Dee,
Louis Bellson, Percy Faith, Rita Moreno, Martha Ray, Dick Contino, Jerry Vale, Jimmy Webb, McCoy Tyner, Michael Feinstein,
Scott DuBois, Bobby Vinton, June Valli, Donna Fargo, Debbie Reynolds, Frankie Laine, Berkeley Fudge, Donald O'Connor, Cubby O'Brien, Buster Williams, David Benoit, Bob Russell, Kirk Tatnall, Chad Mitchell, Andy LoDuca, Kenny Kotwitz, Jeff Pietrangelo, Hans Sturm,
Mamie Van Doren, John Price, Lana Cantrell, Helen O'Connell, The Four Aces, Lou Soloff, Verne Meisner, Don Gralak, Patsy Tighe,
Slide Hampton, The Chuck Howard Superband, Lainie Kazan, Paul Wertico, Jerry Van Dyke, Margaret Whiting, Jill Jensen, Mark Egan,
Cab Calloway, Dane Richesen, Clyde Stubblefield, Phyllis Newman, The Disney Pixar Show, Fabio Armaroli, Steve Nelson-Raney,
Cliff Fredricksen, Louie Bashell, Jack Wilkins, Darlene Love & The Crystals, WHAT ON EARTH?, Southern Illinois University Jazz ensemble,
Marvin Hamlisch, The Racine Choral Arts Society and The Milwaukee, Fox Valley, Green Bay, Sheboygan and Southwest Suburban Symphony Orchestras and The Holiday On Ice Orchestra.
WRITINGS in publications:
Guitar Player Magazine, Music Ed Magic, Art Muscle, Just Jazz Guitar, City Edition, Madison Music Coop, Minneapolis Jazz News,
MUSICAL THEATER in the orchestra:
Man of La Mancha, Pippin, Hello Dolly, Rent, Timbuktu, The Cry, No No Nanette, Working, Promises Promises, Island, West Side Story, Annie, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well, Bye Bye Birdie, Shenandoa, Anything Goes, The Golden Door, Fiddler on the Roof,
The Rise And Fall of Mahagonny, The Disney Pixar Show, The Little Shop of Horrors, Mame.
TEACHING - Jack taught college theory, harmony, composition, ear training, combo performance, recording, big band arranging, improvisation, music business, teaching techniques, music history and most instruments:
2019 - present - live skype lessons worldwide
2018 Oak Creek High School - guest artist
2014 - 2017 Wilson Center Guitar Competition - adjudicator, seminarist
2014 Kettle Moraine High School - presenter, career day
2013 University of Wisconsin Parkside - history of The Rolling Stones class
2012 Mundelein Jazz Festival - adjudicator, teacher, performer
2011 - 2013 Vandercook College - teaching techniques instructor
2009, 2010 Musicians Institute Los Angeles
2006, 2007 Western Illinois University - guest artist, instructor
2003 - 2007 Wisconsin Lutheran College - guitar instructor
1999 - 2005 Hofner Guitar Company - clinician
1995 - 1998 National Guitar Workshop Jazz Summit
1993 Berklee School of Music - guest artist
1991 Gibson Guitar Company - clinician, competition adjudicator
1987 Birch Creek Music Center - guest artist, guitar instructor
1983 - 2004 Milwaukee Area Technical College - Music department chairman
1981 Millikan University- guest artist
1976 University of Wisconsin Whitewater - adjunct faculty
1971 - 1989 Young Audiences of Wisconsin - creator and presenter of hundreds of educational jazz concerts in schools
1971 - 1984 Wisconsin Conservatory of Music - co-creator of college jazz degree program and inventor of a unique jazz ear training.
1965 - 1971 Cascio School of Music - guitar, bass, piano and banjo instructor
1962 - 1966 Modern Music School - guitar, bass, piano and accordion instructor (1st teaching gig at age 14)
AWARDS & HONORS:
2025 Female Vocalist of the Year - Jill nominated
2025 Original Band/Act: Pop - General - The Jack Grassel Jill Jensen Duo
2023 Miscellaneous Instrument - "The Triple Neck" - W.A.M.I Award nomination
2023 Jazz Vocalist of the Year - Jill Jensen - W.A.M.I Award nomination
2018 Wisconsin Riffs book - Jazz Profiles from the Heartland - 4 pages on Jack
2017 Best Float Band - 2nd place - Brookfield July 4 parade - Jack w/ Jim Madritch Band
2016 Jazz Artists of the Year - Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2015 Jazz Artists of the Year - Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2015 Guitarist of the Year - Wisconsin Area Music Industry W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2013 The Great Jazz Guitarists Book - Author Scott Yanow writes about Jack
2012 Jazz Artist of the Year - Shepherd Express "Best of Milwaukee" Award nomination
2012 Memorable Instructor - Milwaukee Area Technical College
2009 Jazz Artist of the Year - Shepherd Express Readers Award "Best of Milwaukee"
2008 Jazz Artist of the Year - Wisconsin Area Music Industry W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2008 Guitarist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2007 Jazz Artists of the Year - Jill Jensen & Jack Grassel, W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2007 Guitarist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
2007 Jazz Artist of the Year - Shepherd Express Readers Award "Best of Milwaukee"
2007 Traditional Jazz Group of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award nomination
2007 CD Recording of the Year - "It's About The Music" Jack Grassel & Jill Jensen W.A.M.I. nomination
2007 Song of the Year - W.A.M.I. - nomination "Song For Your Mother", composed by Jack, sung by Jill Jensen
2004 The Courage Award - presented to Jack by the music students of Milwaukee Area Technical College
2003 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
2003 Guitarist of the Year W.A.M.I. - Award nomination
2001 Favorite Female Vocalist - Jill Jensen - Journal Times Readers Poll
2001 Best Jazz Duo - Jack Grassel and Jill Jensen - Music On Kinnikinnic (M.O.K.K.A.) Award - 1st place
2001 Jill Jensen - Dedicated Service Award - Racine Unitied Way
2000 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
2000 Jill Jensen - Favorite Female Vocalist - Journal Times Readers' Poll
2000 "One of The 10 Best Guitarists in America, you probably don't know" - Guitar One Magazine
1998 Mandolinist of the Year - W.A.M.l. Award nomination
1998 Jill Jensen - Outstanding Performance - TCI Media
1996 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
1996 Who's Who of America's Teachers
1996 Midwest Jazz Master - Award nomination
1994 Guitarist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
1992 Jazz Artist of the Year - W.A.M.I. Award
1989 Grammy nomination - Best Classical Album - "Paradigm" by Lukas Foss with Jack on guitar.
1986 Showcase For New Talent - Guitar Player Magazine
1965 The Sheboygan Battle of The Bands - 1st place
1964 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 2nd place
1961 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 3rd place
1960 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 1st place
1959 Wisconsin State Music Competition - 1st place
1953 American Accordionists Association contest - 2nd division certificate at 5 years old.
ENDORSEMENTS:
Vine cables, George L cables, Surf Picks, Tone Tek Picks, Moshay picks, Claris and Walter Woods amps, Fender speakers, Peavey microphones. Pinkalla Auto Solutions repairs the gig mobile, Lincoln Music Company, supplies and repairs our equipment.
We show up on time for gigs thanks to tires on our gig mobile from O'Brien's Tire.
JAZZ COMPOSITIONS:
Jack's book of 70 pieces is available on our shopping cart. 43 have been recorded on his CDs.
COMMERCIAL COMPOSITIONS FOR TV AND RADIO:
United Airlines, Hub Chrysler, Wagner's Orange Juice, Rippin' Good Cookies, Mirro Aluminum, Graf's Beverages,
Security Savings and Loan, Natural Ovens Bread, Milwaukee Transit System, The Kohler Company, Foster Pontiac,
Marshall and Ilsley Bank, Pewaukee Mattress, Milwaukee Area Technical College, The Black Nouveau TV Theme,
The Grand Avenue Mall 5th Anniversary Concert (Jack composed and directed his piece for 5 grand pianos).
RECORDINGS as side man & arranger:
Seems Like Dreams (Jill Jensen), Tracks (Mel Rhyne), I Said (Del Bennet, Chris Kringel), Secret of Life (Ellen Winters)
Words (Wisconsin Songwriters Collection), Live at The Uptowner (Jerry Grillo), Shag Bark Hickory Spirit (Kristi Kay Cowles), Strictly Solo (6 Milwaukee Gutiarists), Rebound Baby (Ron and The Continentals), Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, (Lucas Foss)
EDUCATION - Thanks to these fine role model teachers for sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for music;
George Van Epp, Tal Farlow, Billy Bauer, Jimmy Wyble, Lloyd Garber, Jim Brusky, Skip Wagner, Joe Daley, Dave Holland, Jack Whitney, Spike Micale, Don Momblow, Ted Ashford, George Pritchett, Emile De Cosmo, Roy Plum, Roger Ruggieri, Don Grzanna, Bill Ruddy,
Conrad Kish and Carl Foerster.
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