Richard Greene (musician)

Richard Greene
Born	(1942-11-09) November 9, 1942
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	classical rock bluegrass
Occupation(s)	violinist
Instruments	violin
Years active	1966 - Present
Associated acts	Seatrain, Muleskinner, Tony Rice
Website	www.richardgreene.net
Notable instruments
Fiddle

Richard Greene (born November 9, 1942 in Los Angeles, California) is an American violinist (aka fiddler) and "one of the most innovative and influential fiddle players of all time".

Biography

Born in Beverly Hills, he grew up in Los Angeles and began his musical studies in classical music. He first attained prominence with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys in 1966 as one of Monroe's first "northern" band members. He was then a member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band recording one album, Garden of Joy, with them.

In 1969, along with Andy Kulberg and Jim Roberts, Greene formed the rock group Seatrain, whose most notable song would be the 1971 rock hit "13 Questions", from Seatrain's self-titled album produced by Beatles producer George Martin. The group Seatrain were an eclectic mix of bluegrass, country, fusion, and rock.

Richard's return to acoustic music occasioned the invention of "New Grass" or "New Acoustic" instrumental music, now a mainstay throughout the world's acoustic music festivals. As one of Los Angeles' premier string session players he founded the trailblazing Greene String Quartet creating the first ever amalgam of Jazz-Folk-Rock-Chamber music and producing three seminal albums. His many acclaimed releases in the folk and bluegrass world have been honored with Grammy and IBMA awards, his CD Sales Tax Toddle was Grammy nominated for Bluegrass Album of Year.

In 1983, he performed on the Antilles Records release Swingrass '83.

Greene currently leads seminars on all aspects of fiddling and violin playing nationwide, teaching courses at The Mancini Institute, the RockyGrass Academy, the Festival of Fiddle Tunes, the Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp, the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, The Swannanoa Gathering, and dozens of ad hoc workshops throughout the year. Also last year marked the debut of Richard Greene's Piece for Bluegrass Violin and Orchestra entitled "What If Mozart Played With Bill Monroe?".

Music genre

Authentic Old Time fiddle music (much of which learned one on one from Bill Monroe) and New Acoustic (original instrumental compositions). Richard co-invented the genre New Acoustic with David Grisman circa 1974 (The Great American Music Band).

Major Festival Performances as Headliner

The Official Richard Greene Web Site lists the following Major Festival Performances:

• Telluride
• Durango Meltdown
• Mayfest (Scotland)
• Wind Gap
• Winterhawk (now Grey Fox)
• MerleFest
• RockyGrass
• Live Oak, Santa Barbara, California
• Winfield (Walnut Valley Festival)
• Old Settlers
• Strawberry
• Supergrass
• Blythe
• Mayville
• Sedona

Awards

• Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Performance of the Year (1997)
• Grammy Nomination for Best Bluegrass Recording of the Year (1998)
• International Bluegrass Music Association Award: Recorded Event of the Year
• International Bluegrass Music Association Nomination: Instrumental Band of the Year
• Honorary Kentucky Colonel

As leader with his own groups

• Seatrain (1969–1972) (produced by George Martin). First occurrence of electric violin in Rock and Roll.
• The Great American Music Band (co-lead with David Grisman, circa 1974)
• Muleskinner (band members: Bill Keith, Clarence White, Peter Rowan, David Grisman)
• The Greene String Quartet
• The Grass Is Greener (David Grier, Bill Keith, Chris Thile, Butch Baldassari, Tony Trischka)
• Richard Greene & The Brothers Barton

Recording and performance history

His web site lists the following recording and performances as a as sideman: Red Allen, Bill Monroe, Gary Burton, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Melissa Manchester, the Blues Project, James Taylor, Tony Rice, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bob Seger, Old and in the Way, Brian Wilson, Eddie Adcock, George Strait, Loggins and Messina, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Peter Rowan, Deana Carter, Rod Stewart, Lacy J. Dalton, Jerry Garcia, Van Dyke Parks, Bruce Springsteen, The Brothers Barton, Tony Trischka, Sting, Joss Stone, Richard Thompson, Kelly Clarkson, Mandy Moore, Tony Bennett, The Wagner Ensemble (Jeannine Wagner).

Richard excels at individual instruction, and offers private instruction in his studio in Hollywood. His students include many championship winners, and others are professional musicians and music teachers themselves.