JERRY GRILLO....JAZZ SINGER

2024 brought in another WAMI Award for Best Jazz Song of the Year, for "Lonely," Jerry also recorded Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" with guitarist, Steve Peplin.

Jerry was given the Unique Song Of The Year Award for "My Hometown Milwaukee" from the Wisconsin Area Music Industry on May 21, 2023. This a very prestigious honor.

Mr. Grillo was honored with "My Hometown Milwaukee" Day after his own composition......May 13, 2022 by Milwaukee Mayor, Cavalier Johnson.

WAMI AWARD WINNER..BEST JAZZ ARTIST..2019 Also 2011...Nominations...2012, 2013, 2018.

2020 brings Jerry's new single, "How Many Februarys," dedicated to Karen Carpenter. Jerry also wrote "Good People" and "After the Ashes" during the pandemic. The video for the latter is on You Tube. Both songs speak to the struggles of 2020.

"MY HOMETOWN MILWAUKEE" is Jerry's latest tune, Release Date... May 12, 2019 Music and Lyrics. It's a celebratory song dedicated to Mikeaukee.

2018 will be Mr. Grillo's 50th anniversary as a professional entertainer featuring appearances at the Jazz Estate and Transfer, Milwaukee...See Facebook and all promotion by the Jazz Estate and local publications. Mr. Grillo is no longer touring, but will soon be appearing in Chicago and Madison.

A new original Christmas single, "Where Was Christmas?"...Minneapple Records is due out for Christmas, 2018....Original recording features members of We Six from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. CD Release, 12/12/2018, at The Jazz Estate, Milwaukee, WI.

His book of of poems, "Hiding Place," was also released. It targets bullying. Soon to be published.

Jerry is recording two new original songs which he composed with Mr.John Hefter. They will be released before the end of 2018 on an EP entitled "Songs For Angelo," an homage to the late Angelo Mortellaro, who was the proprietor of Angelo's Piano Lounge in Milwaukee.

amJazz will also be re-issuing Jerry's remastered first album, "This Funny World," originally produced and recorded in 1992. It features the Dean Rolando Trio from Chicago.....Dean Rolando, Piano, Stu Miller, Bass, and Charles McFarlan, Drums. It was recorded and mastered in Chicago,IL, produced by Blue Note recording artist, Jackie Allen, with original illustrations and artwork by the famed Milwaukee artist, Chrisanne Robertson. The album was first released at The Jazz Estate in Milwaukee, WI in 1992. The album will only be available at concerts and live events. All of Jerry's other recordings can be purchased at amazon.com, various digital services, CD Baby, and numerous record stores around the world.

THE JERRY GRILLO BAND IS MADE UP OF THE FINEST MUSICIANS IN MILWAUKEE. THEY WERE FILMED IN VARIOUS HISTORICAL MILWAUKEE VENUES. SEE HIS PRESS KIT FOR INFORMATION ON THE SHORT SUBJECT FILMS AND VIEW THEM IN THE YOU TUBE VIDEO LIST BELOW.

THE PRESS, AND JAZZ CRITICS AS WELL, HAVE COMPARED JERRY TO FRANK SINATRA AND BOBBY DARIN. JERRY, HOWEVER, IS AN ORIGINAL. HE IS A JAZZ SINGER, BUT ALSO AN ENTERTAINER. THE TWO ELEMENTS CREATE A PERFORMANCE WHICH IS MUCH MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS. HE IS CURRENTLY PERFORMING JAZZ, POP, LATIN, AND BLUES TUNES IN HIS OWN STYLE.

HIS RECORDINGS, "SOME OF THE BEST," WHICH IS A COMPILATION, AND "MUSIC BOX," HIS NEWEST DISC WITH JOE KRAL, ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT LIVE PERFORMANCES. THE OTHERS ARE FEATURED ON THE HOME PAGE AND CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AND IN VARIOUS STORES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

THE JERRY GRILLO BAND IS CURRENTLY APPEARING IN CLUBS, CONCERTS, AND FESTIVALS. THE BAND CONSISTS OF KEYBOARDS, GUITAR/BASS, AND DRUMS, WITH SAXOPHONE AND/OR TRUMPET OPTIONAL. JERRY USES WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY MUSICIANS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO PLAY LOCALLY AND IN CHICAGO. THERE ISN'T A LOCAL SEASONED MUSICIAN WHO HASN'T PERFORMED IN HIS BAND AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. HIS BAND HAS APPEARED AT MILWAUKEE'S JAZZ IN THE PARK, SUMMERFEST, RAINBOW SUMMER, COUNTY PARK CONCERTS, BASTILLE DAYS, RIVER RHYTHMS, MILWAUKEE AREA CULTURAL CENTERS, AND MILWAUKEE, MADISON, AND CHICAGO JAZZ CLUBS. HE HAS ALSO PERFORMED WITH BANDS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, AND ITALY. FOR BOOKINGS USE THE CONTACT PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE.

JERRY IS ALSO THE SINGER FOR THE 15-PIECE NICK CONTORNO ORCHESTRA. THEY RECORDED A NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED CD IN 1999. THEY ARE THE MOST REQUESTED BIG BAND IN THE MIDWEST FOR WEDDINGS, FESTIVALS, AND CORPORATE EVENTS.

JERRY HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A CABARET SHOW TITLED, "JERRY SINGS BROADWAY" ... BASED UPON HIS CD, "UNDER THE INFLUENCE." IT HAS A FULL SCRIPT. THREE YOU TUBE CLIPS OF THE SHOW ARE IN THE VIDEO SECTION BELOW.

YOU TUBE MEDIA

"Lonely"....Jerry's Single

Jerry Grillo Band Live: Cafe Lulu Transfer Pizzeria The Harbor Room

Jerry's Cabaret Show.... "Jerry Sings Broadway"

Jerry with David Hazeltine (New York)....Jam Session

15 Minute Stardumb... a retro look at Jerry's career over the years...filmed in 1990

The Home Page on this site gives information on how to purchase or download his recordings. Jerry collaborated with the internationally renowned LYNNE ARRIALE TRIO on his CD, GOODY FOR YOU. Lynne is recognized as one of the finest jazz pianists in the world. BLUE NOTE recording artist JACKIE ALLEN co-produced his first CD, THIS FUNNY WORLD, which features the DEAN ROLAND TRIO from Chicago. He has recorded with the finest jazz musicians in the Milwaukee area on many other recordings. They are also featured on his newest recording, "Some Of The Best," which is a compilation of Jerry's favorites.

Reviews by jazz critics Jerome Wilson and Frank Rubolino from Cadence Magazine, Lee Prosser from www.jazzreview.com, The New York Times, The Chicago Sun Times, The Shepherd Express, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, as well as others, can be found on Mr. Grillo's individual CD Pages or in the Press Kit on this website.

Jerry studied art, voice and acting at the University of Minnesota and jazz vocal at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He also studied dance and theatre at the University of Wisconsin. He has had lead roles in musical theatre productions including, "The Fantasticks," "Fiddler On The Roof," and "Cabaret." He was also featured in Bob Simpson's musical revues, and a 70's cover band, "Sweet Earth." He was a model for the Arlene Wilson Agency, and has appeared in numerous clubs, festivals, casino stage shows, industrial shows, commercials, and films. He is a native of Minnesota and currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

His CD's have received airplay in France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, Canada, Indonesia, Italy, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Argentina, Brazil, Sweden, China, England, Germany, as well as in the USA. Privatejazz.com ---an internet jazz radio station---is featuring Jerry's music in rotation as well.

Cathy Cook, formerly a film professor at the University of Wisconsin, filmed a documentary short subject about Jerry titled "15 Minute Stardumb" in 1990. It has been transfered to DVD. It is available for independent film festival showings and was filmed five years before Jerry's first professional recording. It is also featured on YouTube.

You can request to hear tracks from any of his CD's by calling the local jazz or alternative radio station in your city. We would be happy to provide CD copies to any radio station or cable network that features jazz or big band vocals. Promo packages are also available for clubs and festival events.

Jerry is also a painter on canvas and clothing, which can be seen on his blushrt Designs Page in the Photo Gallery. He is currently writing a series of short stories based on some of his life experiences....."Mars, but just visiting"

IF YOU WISH FURTHER INFORMATION, PROMO, OR BOOKINGS, use the contact page on this website.

THIS PAGE IS UPDATED BY JAY JOHNSON FOR amJazz.