David Grisman
An accomplished mandolinist, Grisman forged his reputation on the mid-60s US bluegrass circuit as a member of several New York-based attractions, including the Washington Square Ramblers, the Galaxy Mountain Boys and the Even Dozen Jug Band. In 1966 Grisman joined Red Allen and the Kentuckians, but the following year teamed with fellow enthusiast and songwriter Peter Rowan in the Boston rock act, Earth Opera. This fascinating unit completed two albums, after which Grisman moved to San Francisco where he renewed an acquaintance with Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. The mandolinist contributed to the group's stellar AMERICAN BEAUTY before participating in several informal aggregations, notably Muleskinner, Old And In The Way and the Great American String Band. Grisman then recorded as a solo act, and as leader of the David Grisman Quartet, which initially included Tony Rice (guitar), Darol Anger (fiddle) and Todd Phillips and/or Bill Amatneck (bass). The group pursued a hybrid of jazz and bluegrass, dubbed Dawg Music, and remained a highly inventive attraction despite a plethora of line-up changes. Grisman's reputation within America's traditional music fraternity increased throughout the '70s and '80s. He built a recording studio at his Mill Valley home and in 1990 founded the Acoustic Disc label. An early release, DAWG 90, received a Grammy nomination in the country instrumental category, and was followed in 1991 by a further collaboration with longtime associate Jerry Garcia.