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Jazz Coterie live music concert series welcomes Jason and The Jazzerknots to our pop-up jazz club in Stevens Point, Wisconsin — featuring Jason Goessl on guitar, Josh Gallagher on piano, Jeremy Boettcher on bass, and Mike Malone on drums.
ALBUM RELEASE EVENT! — The Shakedown by Jason and The Jazzerknots
This band of acclaimed Wisconsin natives presents a love letter to the many styles that fall under the jazz umbrella. The tracks that comprise The Shakedown consist of musical transliterations of the composer’s life experiences. From the skips and jumps of “Harper Dance” to the effusive meditation of “Black Cars and Taco Bars,” from the funky swagger of “Jazz Camp” to the walking swing of “Steppin on the Avenue,” Jason and The Jazzerknots evoke many moods and points of catharsis. Featuring inspired solos and melodies, The Shakedown lifts the spirts with sonic appeal.
“Like a navy blue sport jacket, guitarist Jason Goessl and his Jazzerknots serve up small group jazz that fits any occasion and environment.”
The Shakedown brings together four expert jazz artists on 11 engaging tracks. Guitarist and composer Jason Goessl leads the group with the unique, horn-like approach to the guitar while the rhythm section, featuring Josh Gallagher on piano, Jeremy Boettcher on upright bass, and Mike Malone on drums, takes its inspiration from the great rhythm sections of jazz history. Laying down deep, contagious grooves, The Shakedown supplies an album of inspired, accessible jazz that’s sure to appeal to a variety of music lovers.
“The team is as clean and polished as the grill of a ’49 Buick . . . and cruises like one with a V8 engine.”
Meet the Band
JASON GOESSL [guitar]
A subtle aesthetic sensitivity and a veritable encyclopedic knowledge of the guitar have made Jason Goessl one of the most exciting musicians of recent vintage. His studies began on guitar in the small town of Maribel, Wisconsin and grew during his college years at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he honed his jazz skills. After wrapping up his studies, he moved to Seattle, where he recorded and produced for a variety of styles, including indie rock and folk music, becoming a regular fixture of the local music scene. Now calling Oshkosh, Wisconsin home, Mr. Goessl divides his time between his record company, Sun Goose Records, his jazz duo featuring his wife, Kate Voss, on vocals, Sundae + Mr. Goessl, and various other musical projects that catch his attention. His most recent jazz recording as a leader serves as a retrospective, featuring compositions he created over the past 10 years, and serves as a love letter to the jazz guitar. Mr. Goessl’s unique style, which features striking patterns of articulation and technique, was developed not only through a thorough study of jazz guitar masters, but by studying tonguing patterns of clarinet and saxophone players as well.
JOSH GALLAGHER [piano]
Josh Gallagher is a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 2002, he went to Berklee College of music in Boston, Massachusetts on a full scholarship. After two years, he was selected as the pianist in the Brubeck Institute Jazz Sextet during the 2004-2005 school year, where he performed with guest clinicians Bobby Watson, Rufus Reid, Jimmy Heath, Artistic Director Christian McBride, and Institute founder Dave Brubeck, among others. He has studied with Geoffrey Keezer, Joanne Brackeen, Hal Crook, Greg Hopkins, Phil Wilson, and Laura Caviani. He is music director and organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Altoona, WI, and continues to work as a jazz pianist wherever possible.
JEREMY BOETTCHER [bass]
A native of Augusta, Wisconsin (just outside of Eau Claire), award-winning bassist Jeremy Boetcher quickly found himself performing with top artists around the country as he became known for his versatility and musicianship. Over the last few years, he could be seen primarily touring the world with legends such as Sean Carey and Richard Johnson. Most recently, he performed extensively at the outposts of Jazz At Lincoln Center – Doha (JALCD) in Qatar and Jazz At Lincoln Center – Shanghai (JALCS) in China.
MIKE MALONE [drums]
Mike is performer and educator based out of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He attended University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire to study classical and jazz percussion. In 2013 Mike was invited to join The Glenn Miller Orchestra and tour across North America. After returning to UWEC to finish his degree in 2014, Mike began touring with groups including jazz vocalist, Ray Brown Jr, and vocal jazz group, Five By Design. As a recording musician Mike can be heard on dozens of albums as both a supporting musician and leader. His diverse skillset has allowed him to be featured musically across numerous styles and settings, and led him to be named "Drummer Of The Year" by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards in 2021.