Tribute:
Vassar Clements
Aug. 16 2007-Two years ago today the great Vassar
Clements died leaving behind a legacy that brought
fiddling into the popular consciousness. Through his
work with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Will the Circle Be
Unbroken and the Old and in the Way band, he
popularized the swing/bluegrass style of fiddling.
Vassar was also a prolific writer but is more often
remembered for his improvised, jazz inspired
interpretations of traditional tunes as well as grassifying
tunes from other genres.
Clements died leaving behind a legacy that brought
fiddling into the popular consciousness. Through his
work with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Will the Circle Be
Unbroken and the Old and in the Way band, he
popularized the swing/bluegrass style of fiddling.
Vassar was also a prolific writer but is more often
remembered for his improvised, jazz inspired
interpretations of traditional tunes as well as grassifying
tunes from other genres.
Vassar's bluegrass career was off to a prestigious start
when he was tapped to be a bluegrass boy by Bill Monroe.
From that point onward, he was a "made man" of bluegrass
going on to play with Jim and Jesse and Earl Skruggs.
In his illustrious career he would become arguably he most
famous fiddler in any musical genre. Perhaps his most
famous yet least recognized performance was fiddling on
the theme of the Beverly HIllbillies. After Will the Circle be
Unbroken Vassar became a household word, going on to
success as a session man tapped to play various gigs with
the Grateful Dead, Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Buffet.
Vassar died at age 77 from lung cancer that spread to his
brain.
when he was tapped to be a bluegrass boy by Bill Monroe.
From that point onward, he was a "made man" of bluegrass
going on to play with Jim and Jesse and Earl Skruggs.
In his illustrious career he would become arguably he most
famous fiddler in any musical genre. Perhaps his most
famous yet least recognized performance was fiddling on
the theme of the Beverly HIllbillies. After Will the Circle be
Unbroken Vassar became a household word, going on to
success as a session man tapped to play various gigs with
the Grateful Dead, Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Buffet.
Vassar died at age 77 from lung cancer that spread to his
brain.
| View Vassar's Guestbook from the day he died: |
Learn From Vassar
What better way to spend your
summertime than to add a smattering
of Vassar's signature licks to your
arsenel of bluegrass fiddle chops.
Though Vassar is gone with this DVD
you get to sit at the feet of this master
of bluegrass fiddle as he breaks down
many licks that have become
mainstays of bluegrass fiddling.
Kats Claw rating: 9 out of 10.
The transcriptions are not the most
accurate, but if you don't read, that is
no drawback. This is still a "must
have" bluegrass resource.
What better way to spend your
summertime than to add a smattering
of Vassar's signature licks to your
arsenel of bluegrass fiddle chops.
Though Vassar is gone with this DVD
you get to sit at the feet of this master
of bluegrass fiddle as he breaks down
many licks that have become
mainstays of bluegrass fiddling.
Kats Claw rating: 9 out of 10.
The transcriptions are not the most
accurate, but if you don't read, that is
no drawback. This is still a "must
have" bluegrass resource.
Influential Fiddler
Vassar was responsible for opening so many "ears" to the
bluegrass genre throughout his career. His involvement in
so many pivoltal projects is undeniable: In the 60s the
Beverly Hillbillies theme broadcast bluegrass nationwide. In
the 70s his fiddling lit up the vinyl on Will the Circle Be
Unbroken, introducing bluegrass to a new generation and
unleashing a surge in populatiry. Then the late 70s release
by Old & In The Way band firmly entrenched Vassar as a
cross generational bridge well into the 80s.
Vassar was responsible for opening so many "ears" to the
bluegrass genre throughout his career. His involvement in
so many pivoltal projects is undeniable: In the 60s the
Beverly Hillbillies theme broadcast bluegrass nationwide. In
the 70s his fiddling lit up the vinyl on Will the Circle Be
Unbroken, introducing bluegrass to a new generation and
unleashing a surge in populatiry. Then the late 70s release
by Old & In The Way band firmly entrenched Vassar as a
cross generational bridge well into the 80s.