Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Grassel combines innnovative harmonic ingenuity with a relatively gentle touch, weven when working in fast tempos. His imaginative extemporization and excellent execution abilitities are brought to beaer on such tunes as John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," where he mixes the jagged rythms and meditative flows that often characterized Coltrane's works.
--Dave Nathan - All Music Guide
Not an imitator, Grassel finds many dimensions in his instrument... skill, taste and conceptual integrity. - Milwaukee Magazine
His fingers defy the laws of gravity and friction as they move across the frets unhindered by anything but the dictates of his imagination.
--Dave Luhrsen - Arts Guide
Discography
RECORDINGS
As leader:
" Live at the Uptowner", available in 2005
" It's About the Music", available in 2005
" Two Guys With Guitars", 2004
" 10", 2002
" Guitar Smoke", 2001
" Christmas Presence", 1998
" Bob and Jack What We Do", 1996
" Thunderstones", 1995
" Solo Burner", 1994
" Music Lingo", 1989
" Adventures of Jack and Hans", 1988
" If You're Too Crazy", 1987
" Magic Cereal", 1986
" Matrix",1974
As producer and sideman:
" Seems Like Dreams", Jill Jensen, 2000
" Tracks", Mel Rhyne, 1998
As sideman:
"Trinity Seaseizesees", Sigmund Snopek III, 2000
(Recorded 1997-99, plus original tracks from1973.)
"Live at the Uptowner", Jerry Grillo, 1999
"Shag Bark Hickory Hymns", Kristi Kay Cowles, 1998
"Mr. Grillo", Jerry Grillo, 1997
"Strictly Solo - Milwaukee Guitar" 1991
"9 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" Lukas Foss 1988
(Grammy nomination)
As producer:
" Storm", Scott DuBois, 1999
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Award winning guitarist Jack Grassel enjoyed years of personal tutelage by his mentors, Tal Farlow and George Van Eps, which helped father his unique style. In March 2000 issue of Guitar One magazine, fans voted him as one of the "10 Best Guitarists (you probably don't know) in America" - "... he doesn't sound like any other guitar player." This winner of five WAMI awards as Jazz Artist of the Year maintains a busy schedule of performances. For decades, guitarists the world over have studied his many books and recordings. In 1996, Jack was acknowledged for excellence as a distinguished enducator in "Who's Who of America's Teachers." Jack's popular Big Ax book series is the ground breaking system for playing bass lines, melody and chords simultaneiously. His columns have enlightened readers of Guitar Player and Just Jazz Guitar magazines.
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