I had a chance to catch-up and photograph my friend, John Kruth, during his, “Whirlwind Wisconsin Weekend.” John and the Atomic Croutons played to a packed house of appreciative fans and old friends at Linnemann’s Riverwest Inn on Saturday, August 22.
The following day on Sunday, at Gallery 218 in the Third Ward, John performed music with Jasper Kashou and Steve Bear along with reading poems and telling stories inspired by some of the great jazz artists he has loved through the years.
“Thanks to photographer Dick Blau (whose photo/film Rainforest I wrote and arranged music for, that was shown last Friday at Riverwalk) for instigating this surprise visit to Milwaukee. Kismet it seemed was in full bloom as Jim Linneman just happened to have Saturday night open. One quick rehearsal with a few of Milwaukee's finest—Peter Roller on guitar, longtime bass buddy, Mike Kashou and his fab son, Jasper on woodwinds and last, but not least Steve Bear—flew in from NYC to pound the beat on boxes, my mother's old brass watering can and a plastic tub. It was a wonderful night, playing for 70 or so of my old Wisconsin friends, with Brian Ritchie sitting in on shakuhachi flute” said John Kruth, musician, songwriter, composer, writer and poet.
“The next afternoon at Judith Hooks' groovy gallery 218 in the Third Ward, I read poems and told stories inspired by some of the great jazz artists I've known and loved over the years. I was joined again by Jasper and Steve who kept the inspiration flowing. And as there is no rest for the wicked, we drove up to Madison after the reading for a gig with Jonathan Zarov of Swamp Thing (Mike and Steve are also members of that legendary band) to complete my Whirlwind Wisconsin Weekend. It was truly a blast y'all! Perhaps I won't wait another 20 years before returning.” Truly, JvK.
Stay on top of the news of the day
Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays.
Check-out the photo gallery by Erol Reyal of John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s - poems, stories & music at Gallery 218.
1 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
John Kruth, musician, songwriter, composer, writer and poet.
2 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Jasper Kashou, sax and flute.
3 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Mike Kashou, bass.
4 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Peter Roller, guitar.
5 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Steve Bear, percussion.
6 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Jim Linnemann, soundboard, Owner of Linneman's Riverwest Inn.
7 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linneman's Riverwest Inn.
8 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
John Kruth and Steve Bear.
9 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Mike Kashou and Peter Roller.
10 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linneman's Riverwest Inn.
11 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
The Atomic Croutons, Mike Kashou, Steve Bear, Peter Roller, John Kruth and Jasper Kashou.
12 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Jeff Menz and Julie Topetzes.
13 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Harvey Taylor and Susie Krause.
14 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Marty Horning, Jeanette Shulz and Clare Lewis.
15 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Steve Bear, Mark G.E. and Theresa Ala Mode from XPosed 4Heads.
16 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Sigmund and Denise Snopek.
17 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Brian Ritchie from the Violent Femmes, Sigmund Snopek and John Kruth.
18 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Judith Hooks, Gallery 218 in the 3rd Ward.
19 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
John Kruth and Jasper Kashou at Gallery 218.
20 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
John Kruth read poems and told stories inspired by some of the great jazz artists he has loved through the years.
21 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
John Kruth, poetry and readings of his music writing at the Gallery 218.
22 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Steve Bear, John Kruth and Jasper Kashou performing at the Gallery 218.
23 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Max, Emily and John Figlesthaler.
24 of 24
Photo by Erol Reyal
John Kruth and the Atomic Croutons at Linnemann’s
Dick Blau, photographer, filmmaker and Jules Laabs-Davis.
