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Obituary: Vassar Clements

On August 16, 2005, the bluegrass community lost one of its musical pioneers when Vassar Clements passed away at his daughter's home outside of Nashville following a battle with cancer.  Clements was one of the most distinctive and popular fiddlers in bluegrass.  

Clements was born on April 25, 1928 in Kinard, South Carolina. He was a self-taught fiddle player who joined Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys when he was 21 years old.  In 1956, Clements left Monroe's band and joined Jim and Jessee McReynolds in Jim and Jessee's Virginia Boys. By the late 1960s, Clements had moved to Nashville where he played with Faron Young, John Hartford and Earl Scruggs.  In the early 1970s, he began playing on recording sessions.  This work led to a notable appearance on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 1972 release Will the Circle Be Unbroken. His work on the album helped to establish Clements as one of the most popular fiddle players in bluegrass and country music. 

Clements released his first solo album, Crossing The Catskills, in 1973.  The following year he released two more solo albums and served as a member of the "supergroup" Old and In The Way which included Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, David Grisman and John Kahn.

Over the rest of his career, Clements recorded 27 albums and appeared on numerous recordings by other artists.  During that time, he explored country, bluegrass, jazz and swing. He eventually acquired the title "The King of Hillbilly Jazz."  In 2001, the International Bluegrass Music Awards recognized Clements' contribution to the musical genre by designating him as a First Generation Pioneer of bluegrass. 

For more information on the life and career of Vassar Clements, be sure to check out his official website: Vassar Clements official website. 

(August 21, 2005)