Jack Grace
Jack Grace (born 1968, Brooklyn, New York) is an American songwriter, bandleader, radio host and actor based in New York. Jack contributed music to the cult films Super Troopers and Beerfest. In radio, Jack has been a commentator on PRI's The Takeaway beginning in 2008 and is a fill-in co-host for Sirius/XM's Freewheelin'. Jack studied acting at NYU and didn’t pick up a guitar until he was 18. His theatrical background made him extremely comfortable on the stage, to which his spirited live performances are a testament. An icon in New York City, Jack is often known as The Martini Cowboy, the title of his 2008 C.D. release on Radia Records.
Jack formed his first band in 1993 in Boulder, CO. Steak was an experimental, Zappa-flavored 4-piece band that officially disbanded in ’99. Jack began working with a revolving group of musicians even to this day. Functioning more like a jazz bandleader, he has a main cast of characters but keeps two to three drummers on call for recordings and gigs. The band members come from all walks of life: jazz, rock, country and, well, other. Bassist, vocalist and wife Daria (Melomane, Pre-war Ponies, The (N.Y.) Moonlighters & God Is My Co-Pilot) keeps the rhythm going with the rotating drummers, Russ Meissner, Jason "J-Bird" Bowman and Bruce Martin (Tom Tom Club).
Jack's most recent band, Van Hayride, a country version of Van Halen has a revolving door of members, which at times can feature Norah Jones, members of Yarn and Lee Ranaldo and the Dust. Van Hayride was recently hand picked by Puss n Boots, which features Sasha Dobson, Norah Jones and Catherine Popper, as the opener of Puss n Boots first US tour.
Jack is currently recording a new album produced by Eric Ambel, and features Norah Jones on some of the tracks.
Jack Grace Discography
Steak - No Pleasure in Killin' (Steak Motorcycle Club - 1994)
Steak - Black Speedo (Radia Records -1995)
Steak - Feasting on Famine (Radia Records - 1999)
Jack Grace - Introducing the Sounds of Jack Grace (Radia Records - 1999)
Jack Grace Band - Stayin' Out All Night (Radia Records - 2002)
Jack Grace Band - I Like It Wrong (Radia Records - 2004)
Jack Grace Band - The Martini Cowboy (Radia Records - 2006)
Jack Grace Band - Drinking Songs for Lovers (Radia Records - 2010)
Jack Grace Band - The Moneys Gone Away - 2012
Jack Grace Press
- New York Times - Sunday, March 7, 2004
- New York Times Metro Section - Friday, November 11, 2005
- Village Voice - May 15, 2001
- New York Post - Saturday, May 28, 2005
- Galway (Ireland) Advertiser - August 14, 2008
- Kilkenny (Ireland) People - Friday, August 29, 2008