Download Media Photos & Program Notes (More pics at bottom of page)
|
|
|
|
JACK GRASSEL and JILL JENSEN Partners in marriage and music, Jill and Jack have entertained throughout the world since 1998. Together they've recorded four CDs, contributing to each other's music both technically and spiritually. Reviews of the CD Jack and Jill Jazz include: "astonishing virtuosity and deep emotional engagement" and "swinging, tender and often exquisite performances by the very appealing couple". It's About the Music garnered four WAMI award nominations: CD of the Year, Traditional Jazz Artists of the Year, Song of the Year and Jazz Artists of the Year. Visit: www.jackgrasseljilljensen.com/
JILL JENSEN is well known for delighting audiences as a jazz singer, actress, voice talent and television personality throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and the Midwestern United States. Ms Jensen"has become an Olympic gymnast among singers, leaping around and across phrases with breathtaking ease. She infuses her delivery with soulfulness, power and seduction."
Visit: www.jackgrasseljilljensen.com/
JILL JENSEN is well known for delighting audiences as a jazz singer, actress, voice talent and television personality throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and the Midwestern United States. Ms Jensen"has become an Olympic gymnast among singers, leaping around and across phrases with breathtaking ease. She infuses her delivery with soulfulness, power and seduction."
Visit: www.jackgrasseljilljensen.com/
JACK GRASSEL, a musical-shape-shifter, remains a positive force on the ever changing musical landscape. He has enjoyed being a professional musician since his first paying gig on a concert stage at age 6, initiating a career of over 14,000 performances, many with "name" artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Jones and Tal Farlow. He is a genre bending multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer and author known for his adventurous concerts, awards, 21 CDs, 23 books, 70 compositions, the DVD "Top 20 Jazz Guitar Lessons" and a legion of successful former students. Few would dispute his place in the ranks of those who have forged their own path. He has developed unique music by expanding lesson concepts from George Pritchett, Tal Farlow, Lloyd Garber, Jimmy Wyble and George Van Epps. In a nationwide poll, GUITAR ONE MAGAZINE readers voted him "One of the Ten Best Guitarists in America (you probably don't know)." Visit: www.jackgrasseljilljensen.com/
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
"Let the organic feeling of Jill's sensual voice enchant you with a sound to remember the rest of your life." Jim Glynn - WMSE Radio
"Jensen's voice sparkles for the sheer delight of singing. She wraps around words and their emotional implications". Dave Luhrssen
IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC is a world class CD. An art form. A true gift. One of the finest, most creative, ensemble recordings ever done. It is marvelous, wonderful, tremendous, fresh, exciting, superb; it more than entertains, it tells a story. Jack’s playing is outstanding. Jill ‘s gorgeous voice is thrilling. Musicianship throughout is remarkable. All emotions are covered in this musical journey. I laughed at ‘Benny‘s‘; choked up at ‘Come in From the Rain‘; I was totally touched deeply inside. Oh, and the gorgeous strings in ‘Lonely Woman‘!
I felt Jill was singing just to me, she makes a listener feel so special, This music will be around for long time."
Dr. Nick Contorno - Marquette University
THE JACK and JILL STORY by Scott Yanow, jazz reviewer / author
Singer Jill Jensen and guitarist Jack Grassel are a musical love story. Before they met, Jill was a talented jazz singer who also acted in plays, commercials and videos. Jack was a highly rated guitarist who recorded many CDs, written ten guitar instruction books and worked on a countless number of gigs. They teamed up in 1999 when Jill was added to Jack's regular band.
Their first performance together was at The Yardarm where they met. Already the magic between them was apparent and they were soon married. Jill recalls, “One night we played without a band. People said we sounded good as a duo. It's been the two of us ever since. It's great because 'the whole band' fits into one car!”
Since 2000, Jack and JIll have performed extensively as a duo, delighting audiences with exciting renditions of jazz. “Jack refined his abilities to play melody, harmony and bass lines together, so we're able to get a very big sound for two people,” says Jill. Jack adds, “I've played around 12,000 gigs in my life, 11,000 of them without Jill. Playing the last 1,000 gigs with someone I love adds an extra dimension to the music." With the release of the JACK AND JILL JAZZ CD, their artistry is fully on display.
Jack and Jill are always interested in traveling (they toured winters in Mexico for 22 years) and play jazz festivals, concerts and fine venues. However they're quick to add that they both love being home in Wisconsin. “We live on a bike trail near beautiful Lake Michigan where we enjoy the drama of the seasons, and family".
"Let the organic feeling of Jill's sensual voice enchant you with a sound to remember the rest of your life." Jim Glynn - WMSE Radio
"Jensen's voice sparkles for the sheer delight of singing. She wraps around words and their emotional implications". Dave Luhrssen
IT'S ABOUT THE MUSIC is a world class CD. An art form. A true gift. One of the finest, most creative, ensemble recordings ever done. It is marvelous, wonderful, tremendous, fresh, exciting, superb; it more than entertains, it tells a story. Jack’s playing is outstanding. Jill ‘s gorgeous voice is thrilling. Musicianship throughout is remarkable. All emotions are covered in this musical journey. I laughed at ‘Benny‘s‘; choked up at ‘Come in From the Rain‘; I was totally touched deeply inside. Oh, and the gorgeous strings in ‘Lonely Woman‘!
I felt Jill was singing just to me, she makes a listener feel so special, This music will be around for long time."
Dr. Nick Contorno - Marquette University
THE JACK and JILL STORY by Scott Yanow, jazz reviewer / author
Singer Jill Jensen and guitarist Jack Grassel are a musical love story. Before they met, Jill was a talented jazz singer who also acted in plays, commercials and videos. Jack was a highly rated guitarist who recorded many CDs, written ten guitar instruction books and worked on a countless number of gigs. They teamed up in 1999 when Jill was added to Jack's regular band.
Their first performance together was at The Yardarm where they met. Already the magic between them was apparent and they were soon married. Jill recalls, “One night we played without a band. People said we sounded good as a duo. It's been the two of us ever since. It's great because 'the whole band' fits into one car!”
Since 2000, Jack and JIll have performed extensively as a duo, delighting audiences with exciting renditions of jazz. “Jack refined his abilities to play melody, harmony and bass lines together, so we're able to get a very big sound for two people,” says Jill. Jack adds, “I've played around 12,000 gigs in my life, 11,000 of them without Jill. Playing the last 1,000 gigs with someone I love adds an extra dimension to the music." With the release of the JACK AND JILL JAZZ CD, their artistry is fully on display.
Jack and Jill are always interested in traveling (they toured winters in Mexico for 22 years) and play jazz festivals, concerts and fine venues. However they're quick to add that they both love being home in Wisconsin. “We live on a bike trail near beautiful Lake Michigan where we enjoy the drama of the seasons, and family".
|
|
