David Grisman followed acoustic roots music from his native New Jersey to Appalachia, playing with The Even Dozen Jug Band, Red Allen and the Kentuckians and others.  A disciple of folklorist Ralph Rinzler, David contributed to the vibrant 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene and later moved to the Bay Area, recording on American Beauty with the Grateful Dead and forming Old & in the Way with Jerry Garcia. 

 

His original music attracted brilliant musicians (Tony Rice, Darol Anger and Mike Marshall to name but a few) and the 1976 formation of the David Grisman Quintet revolutionized acoustic string music.  David has played with many of his heroes, from Stephane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen and Jethro Burns to Doc Watson, Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs. His long friendship with Jerry Garcia also yielded a cherished legacy of recordings.

 

Grisman has also been a prolific producer of recording artists as diverse as Red Allen, Frank Wakefield, Jethro Burns, Tiny Moore, Stephane Grappelli, Dave Apollon, George Barnes and many others for Folkways, Rounder, Sugar Hill, Kaleidoscope and his own company, Acoustic Disc. In 2010 he launched AcousticOasis.com, a website devoted exclusively to the highest quality acoustic music downloads. 

 

Today he tours regularly with the David Grisman Sextet, playing his original “Dawg” compositions. The Sextet includes Jim Kerwin (bass), Matt Eakle (flute and bass flute), George Marsh (drums and percussion), Chad Manning (violin, viola and mandolin) and George Cole (guitar). David's 50+ years of playing, composing, and producing attest to his indomitable creative spirit.