Cold Night, Cool Jazz
Ubiq Editor
Young and old alike were brought in from the cold, to enjoy a night of cool jazz, and no one left UW-WC's theater disappointed Feb. 2.
Winter Jazz with Jack Grassel hit the stage, and the audience knew it was in for a treat. The night opened up with a trio. John Price played string bass, Grassel played guitar, and his wife and business partner, Jill Jensen, sang vocals.
Price's bass playing was exciting to watch. His hands danced on the strings as he allowed the audience to join him on a pleasure trip. He be-bopped his way thru his solo, and seemed to be one with the instrument.
Grassel, keeping up with the rest, never seemed to lack enthusiastic energy. The melody drifted from the guitar to meld with the others. Effortlessly, his stylings led the audience to enjoy the music, almost as much as he did.
Jensen's voice traveled through the air with heady smoke. Her relaxed style made it seem as if she was doing the easiest and most natural thing in the world. Winding her way through the music and the lyrics, she kept reckless control with abandon.
Intermission broke into the evening with wines and snacks. It was a time for the audience to get together and discuss the music. Some fans even snuck backstage to have a word with the stars. Walking through the halls, comments could be heard about how people were really enjoying the show.
The lucky ones were those who got their glass of wine and went back into the theater. They were greeted with the most beautiful piano music. Kyle Hayden, a pianist from Milwaukee, gently took hold of your soul with the music and journeyed through twists and turns of melodies, and finally set you back down into your seat where you had begun. He left the crowd wishing for more.
Next, the Electric Band consisting of Kirk Tatnall on bass guitar, Sam Belton on percussion, and Grassel on a modified instrument that was both a electric guitar and a bass guitar, took the stage.
Tatnall, never let the bottom drop out of any melody. His playing complemented and enhanced the other instruments. Tatnall and Grassel each had the guitar/bass modified instrument. Tatnall took turns with Grassel in playing the melody. Not only is he well versed with the bass guitar, he also plays lead guitar. Audience members sat in awe as the trades took place without missing a beat.
Belton not only played percussion; he enhanced the very core of it. His use of dynamics kept you on your feet. None of the usual stylings for this percussionist, he switched up and the audience loved it. Belton is a preacher at Spirit of Truth Church in Milwaukee. He loves to play with bands because it gives him a chance to express himself.
"I enjoy making music with one another," said Belton "but rhythm is not equal to the other instruments, I serve the others usually."
For more information, go to http://www.jackgrassel.com.
