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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCLEMENTS, Vassar(b April 1928, Kinard SC; d 16 August 2005, Nashville) Bluegrass fiddler, one of the best of all time; also played mandolin. With Bill Monroe on Grand Ole Opry '49, first recorded with him '50; played with Jim and Jesse, Faron Young; sessioned with Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Charlie Daniels, Paul McCartney, the Boston Pops; on Nitty Gritty Dirt band set Will The Circle Be Unbroken '69; with Dicky Betts, Hot Tuna, Papa John Creach, Grateful Dead, Marshall Tucker Band; active in '70s 'new grass' development: had own group mid-'70s, with not-quite-traditional Earl Scruggs Revue (see Lester Flatt); several LPs on Chicago label Flying Fish: two-disc set Hillbilly Jazz with David Bromberg, Vassar, Bluegrass Session, Nashville Jam with Doug Jernigan, Jesse McReynolds, Buddy Spicher; Hillbilly Jazz Rides Again '87. Albums on other labels included Crossing The Catskills, Grass Routes and an improvised string band with Vassar Clements, John Hartford And Dave Holland on Rounder; Vassar Clements and Superbow on Mercury, Southern Country Waltzes on Rural Rhythm; also played in group Old and in the Way on Sugar Hill with Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, others. Together At Last was made in Nashville '85 with Stéphane Grappelli was produced by Tim Yaquinto; New Hillbilly Jazz '88 on Shikata included vocals. |