RACINE - Jay Mollerskov's musical talents are deeply rooted in Racine. That's where the jazz guitarist first put his 6-year-old fingers to the keys of a piano that his grandfather brought home from the Danish Brotherhood organization that was getting rid of it.

Racine is also where Mollerskov was introduced to composing and arranging while working with his middle school piano teacher, Betty Hansen. His hometown is also where he first played jazz, blowing trombone with the McKinley Middle School jazz band - and where he discovered his love for the guitar, with the help of music teacher Al Clausen and his Summer Show Band.

Those are just some of the many memorable musical experiences Mollerskov had here before graduating from Washington Park High School in 1995. Since then he has built upon those musical roots, earning his bachelor's degree in music with an emphasis in composition and his master's in guitar performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has also studied with guitar teachers ranging from Milwaukee's Paul Silbergleit and Don Linke to Chicago's Bobby Broom, and has played gigs with a number of musicians at the Jazz Estate on Milwaukee's East Side, as well as places in and around Chicago.

Back home

On Wednesday night, Mollerskov, 30, will bring his performing talents back to Racine when he plays the Yardarm Bar & Grill with his trio. Like his recently released debut CD, "Whatcha Gonna Do?", his performance at the Yardarm will feature both Mollerskov originals and jazz standards with a Mollerskov twist.

That is one of the intriguing things about jazz, the guitarist said. Even when you are playing someone else's song, the improvisational nature of the genre allows you to play each tune as if it is your own.

"I love jazz for the same reason I love writing music and I love cooking," he said. "In all of those things you are constantly creating - reacting to things as you go along. Every time you play a tune, it may be different. I love that."

"Last week, I played one of the first jazz standards I ever learned, 'Stella by Starlight.' Even though I've played it many times, I still found it exciting. I still love playing it."

While listeners may recognize the work of jazz greats such as Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter on "Watcha Gonna Do?", Mollerskov has applied his arranging skills and his own style to each cut. He also includes his own arrangement of "Scarborough Fair."

" 'Scarborough Fair' is not just a Simon and Garfunkel song," he said. "It is actually a folk tune that has been around for hundreds of years."

Rockin' & Rollin'

While jazz is Mollerskov's main focus in recent years, his musical history includes a wide range of styles and influences. As a teenager, he was into bands like Pink Floyd, Supertramp and Metallica and when he first started listening to jazz, it wasn't the traditional stuff - it was fusion. On his myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/jaymollerskov) his influences include everyone from Pat Metheny and Keith Jarrett to Coltrane, Shorter and Stevie Wonder.

Mollerskov gives much credit for his musical development to his teachers, including those in high school and college, such as Racine's Norm Lanning and Curt Hanrahan. And he has deep appreciation for all the musicians he has played with along the way, including people like trumpeter Jamie Breiwick, whom he has known and played with since their high school days at Park.

"We actually sort of came up together, musically speaking," said Breiwick, who plays with a number of jazz ensembles in the Milwaukee area, including the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music's faculty combo, We Six. "We practiced together a lot, learned tunes, went to hear music and the like. We also started gigging a lot together in the late '90s at clubs like the Jazz Estate, the Uptowner and the now defunct Corner Grill.

"As far as what Jay is doing now, you might say he represents modern jazz guitar at its finest," said Breiwick.

After living for a while in both Milwaukee and the Chicago area, Mollerskov now resides in Racine with his wife, Anne, who is a vocalist and a music teacher at Goodland Elementary School. He teaches private music lessons at the Lincoln Music House on Milwaukee's south side, and, when he isn't thinking music, he enjoys gardening and painting.

Having recently reached two major goals - completing his master's degree and releasing his first CD - he said he hopes to be able to do more live performing again. That doesn't mean, however, that he has given up writing. He is already planning a second CD, this one with more of his own compositions.

"I'd really like to spend some more time writing and get more of my music out there," he said.

He also enjoys being able to play with musician friends in Racine, Milwaukee and Chicago.

"It's a nice deal, living in Racine," he said. "Being part-way between Milwaukee and Chicago is a good place to be."

The guitarist said he is always open to trying new things and playing with new people, but at the same time, he is satisfied with where he is today.

"I never really felt a need to live in New York or be world famous. As long as I'm making enough money and am happy playing, that's enough for me."

If You Go

WHAT: Jay Mollerskov on jazz guitar with his trio: Jeno Somlai on drums and Dan Schneck on organ.

WHEN: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Yardarm Bar & Grill, 930 Erie St.

COST: No cover

INFO: Fore more about Jay Mollerskov and his music, visit: http://www.jaymollerskov.com