David Grisman Biography
David Grisman is a mandolinist from New Jersey. In a genre, he calls “Dawg music” he combines bluegrass, folk, and jazz. He is the founder of the record label Acoustic Disc, which issues his recordings and those of other acoustic musicians. He went to college at New York University.
David Grisman career
In the early 1960s, he belonged to the Even Dozen Jug Band with Maria Muldaur and John Sebastian. He played in the bluegrass band the Kentuckians led by Red Allen, then in the psychedelic rock band Earth Opera with Peter Rowan.
He met Jerry Garcia, after he moved to San Francisco, and appeared on the Grateful Dead album American Beauty. He played in Garcia’s bluegrass band Old & In the Way with Peter Rowan and Vassar Clements.
He was named “Dawg” by Jerry Garcia after a dog that was following him while they were driving in Stinson Beach, California. Following this, Grisman calls his mixture of bluegrass and Django Reinhardt/Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz “Dawg Music”
It was his combination of Reinhardt-era jazz, bluegrass, folk, Old World Mediterranean string band music, as well as modern jazz fusion that came to embody “Dawg” music.
Together with Darol Anger, Joe Carroll, Todd Phillips, and Tony Rice he started the David Grisman Quintet. They released their first album in 1977 for Kaleidoscope Records and their second, Hot Dawg, two years later for Horizon Records, the jazz division of A&M Records.
When the quintet recorded for Warner Bros, the membership changed. It now included Mike Marshall, Mark O’Connor, and Rob Wasserman and also with occasional guest appearances by jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli.
Grisman formed the record label Acoustic Disc, in the 1980s, which issued his recordings and those by other acoustic musicians. Over time, he might be most remembered for publishing a large amount of the world’s best mandolin music. In the early 1990s, he released albums which sounded more like jazz when he recorded with bassist Jim Kerwin, drummer George Marsh, and guitarist Martin Taylor.
However, the folk and bluegrass part of his, emerged when he recorded with Mark O’Connor, Tony Rice, and Andy Statman. He recorded traditional jazz and folk songs on the albums Tone Poems and Tone Poems 2, on vintage guitars, mandolins, and mandocellos that were built at the time the songs were composed.
Acoustic Disc
Acoustic Disc was founded in 1990 by Grisman and its an independent record label. The label specializes in bluegrass, folk, jazz, and Dawg music and is based in San Rafael, California.
Car Talk
The opening theme song for Car Talk on NPR was Grisman’s “Dawggy Mountain Breakdown”.
In May 2007, Grisman sued YouTube asserting in federal court that YouTube should be required to prevent individuals from illegally uploading recordings of his music. His attorneys requested voluntary dismissal of the suit. The documentary Grateful Dawg of October 14, 2001 chronicles the friendship between Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
Additionally, Grisman was a judge for the 6th and 7th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.
For the 1974 film Big Bad Mama which was directed by Roger Corman he wrote much of the bluegrass music. It was played by the Great American Music Band, who were recorded and mixed by Bill Wolf.
David Grisman Age
Grisman was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S. on March 23, 1945. Additionally, his star sign is Aries.
David Grisman Family
Grisman grew up in Passaic, New Jersey in a Conservative Jewish household. His mother was Fanya Grisman and his father Samson Grisman was a professional trombonist who gave him piano lessons when he was seven years old. As a teenager, he played piano, mandolin, and saxophone.
David Grisman Wife
Grisman was married twice before but is currently married to Tracy Bigelow. He has three grown children: Samson, Gillian, and Monroe. Samson, a bassist and recording session musician living in Portland and often performs with his father. Gillian, is a filmmaker living in Novato, California, directed Grateful Dawg and the music documentary, Village Music: Last of the Great Record Stores. Monroe, named for bluegrass music pioneer Bill Monroe, lives in Fairfax, California, and plays in the Tom Petty tribute band Petty Theft.
David Grisman Body Measurements
Height: Not Available
Weight: Not Available
Shoe Size: Not Available
Body Shape: Not Available
Hair Colour: Gray
David Grisman Net Worth
Grisman is an American mandolinist and founder of the record label Acoustic Disc. His primary source of income is his music career, however, his estimated net worth is still under review.
David Grisman Discography
Mandolinist Grisman, a prolific musician has issued albums with his groups the David Grisman Quintet and Old & In the Way, performed in duos with Jerry Garcia, Andy Statman, Martin Taylor, Hazel Dickens, and Alice Gerrard, John Sebastian, Tony Rice, and also played in the psychedelic band Earth Opera with Peter Rowan. He has produced solo albums and collaborated with musicians in many genres.
His music from 2011
David Grisman’s Folk Jazz Trio – 2011
Live at Wigmore Hall – 2011
Live at the Boarding House: The Complete Shows – 2013 (recorded 1973)
Del & Dawg Live! – 2016
David Grisman Sextet – 2016
Muddy Roads – 2017
Frank ‘n’ Dawg – 2017
Pickin – 2017
With Earth Opera
Earth Opera – 1968
The Great American Eagle Tragedy – 1969
With Muleskinner
Muleskinner (1973) (re-released as A Potpourri of Bluegrass Jam)
Muleskinner Live: Original Television Soundtrack (1994, recorded 1973)
With Old & In the Way
Old & In the Way – 1975
That High Lonesome Sound – 1996
Breakdown – 1997
Old & In the Gray – 2002
Live at the Boarding House – 2008
Live at the Boarding House: The Complete Shows – 2013
David Grisman Awards and Achievements
- 42nd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1999) Best Bluegrass Album. …
- 35th Annual GRAMMY Awards (1992) Best Bluegrass Album. …
- 34th Annual GRAMMY Awards (1991) Best Contemporary Folk Album. …
- 33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1990) Best Country Instrumental Performance. …
- 31st Annual GRAMMY Awards (1988)
Frequently Asked Questions About David Grisman
Who is David Grisman?
He is one of America’s best-known mandolin player.
How old is David Grisman?
How tall is David Grisman?
His height is still under review.
Is David Grisman married?
He is currently married to Tracy Bigelow and was married twice before.
How much is David Grisman worth?
His estimated net worth is still under review.
How much does David Grisman make?
His annual estimated salary is still under review.
Where does David Grisman live?
He was brought up in Passaic, New Jersey but his current residence is still under review.
Is David Grisman dead or alive?
David is still alive and in good health.
Where is David Grisman now?
He is continuing with his shows.