Vasser Clements dead at 77
Vasser Clements passed away this morning. He was 77.
A consummate musician who played seven instruments (all of them well), he was considered one of the most accomplished and versatile fiddle players of our time.
As a teenager with he played with Bill Monroe and then with Jim & Jesse McReynolds. He later went on to play with John Hartford and many others. His participation in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 1972 album “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” brought him wide attention and introduced him to an audience beyond his country roots.
Although many people think of him primarily as a bluegrass musician, he also played and recorded jazz with noted artists such as Dave Holland and Stephane Grappelli .
He recorded 27 albums of his own and garnered five Grammy nominations.
The following is from his web site.
Dear Friends, On August 16th 2005 at 8:35 am Nashville time, the angels in heaven stopped singing for a moment, as they heard the most beautiful music approaching from a distance - the high lonesome sound of Vassar Clements’ fiddle. We are deeply saddened by the passing of this truly wonderful and beautiful man whose purpose in life on Earth was in spreading love and happiness to people, both through his music and through his generosity and light of spirit. Vassar indeed has touched the lives of so many of us, and we can all count ourselves as blessed to have been witness to the musical genius and kind-hearted nature of this great yet humble man. It is a great testament to a life when those whose paths you crossed hold you up as an example on how to treat others. Vassar’s guestbook is that testament and shows how incredibly loved and admired Vassar was on this Earth by both those who knew him personally and those who knew him only through his music. I would like to thank Vassar’s daughter Midge and son-in-law George on behalf of all of us that loved Vassar for the great love and care they have shown him since the passing of his wife Millie just over seven years ago. Selfless and devoted, they not only took care of Vassar emotionally and physically, but also jumped in and learned the music business so Vassar could continue to play for all of us around the country. I picture Vassar and Millie in heaven, reunited in the love they shared that transcends all things, him playing while she dances. Thank You Vassar - God Bless You. Rest In Peace.
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Just Another Rambler August 18th, 2005 at 10:34 pm #
I am very sad to hear the news of the passing of a great story teller and wonderful musician. I was able to watch several of his performances. The most memerable one was in Tennessee during the Harvest festival weekend. My husband walked up to the stage after the performance and Vasser reached out and offered his hand to a complete stranger. Luck was on myside and I was fast enough to snap a picture. He was a proud and caring man and it showed in his demenor. Later, we meet his daughter, and she was promoting his tour and doing a great job at it! She was just as nice as he was. I wish to express my sympathy and hope that the healing process will happen fast. Memories our all we have, charish the good over the bad. Vasser Clements was a founder of bluegrass. The music I was brought up on, and the sounds that I love, this man helped create. This is a sad moment in time. I grieve for his family and the bluegrass community.