RIP Rob Wasserman

[Dan Cole]

Former David Grisman Quintet bass player dies.

[Timbofood]

One more, I'm,starting to get depressed about all these guys dying.

[tkdboyd]

Sad news...

[Mike Marshall]

Yes a sad day.
We had a great time with the Dawg, Grappelli, Darol Anger and OConnor.
He was way too young.

[AlanN]

Shocking. Like many of us here, first became aware of Rob via the Quintet '80 record. His playing was original, musical and F-A-S-T. His solo on the opening track was stupendous.

R.I.P.

[brunello97]

Bummer.

I, too, saw him first with the Quintet '80 but really began to appreciate his overall approach to music with the Duets and Trios.

Recent photos have not shown him looking so healthy so I wondered if something might be going on. Sad news, indeed.

Mick

[domradave]

The only time I met Rob Wasserman was at The Bottom Line in New York. He was standing next to Dawg who was giving me his autograph on the issue of Mandolin World News with his picture, the Homespun Dawg Mandolin book, and the Quintet '80 album which I had John Monteleone also sign. I said to to Rob: "You're the bass player." I should have said: "You're THE bass player."
At the concert Dawg started the show by having Rob play a solo which was just amazing. Then a duet with Jon Sholle where both players did not look at their instruments but only at each other! Stephane Grappelli loved Rob, too!

[bennyb]

I first saw him with DGQ at Great American MH 80?ish. They did that thing where each band member walks off stage one by one and leaves just a single player to keep it goin'. They left Rob and he knocked us out for several minutes, before the rest returned, and knocked us out for the rest of the show. Still memorable after 30 some years. He left good memories.

benny

[AlanN]

Just listened to 'Round Midnight, off Gator Strut on the run. Rob took a lovely solo in that, very hip, NHOP-like. Rob was a special musician and very well-rounded.

[Michael Weaver]

Wow, this is absolutely horrible. He was my favorite bass player.

[AlanN]

Another one off GS, where Rob's bass fit in perfectly.

Dance Of The Planktons
Arranged By – Saheeb
Bass – Rob Wasserman
Mandola – Mike Marshall
Mandolin – Mike Marshall
Piano – Barbara Higbie
Violin – Darol Anger, Dave Balakrishnan
Written-By – Mike Marshall

[tree]

Wow, I remember seeing DGQ several times at Memorial Hall in UNC, both with and without Grappelli. I never met Wasserman but sure did like his bass playing. So sorry for his family and friends.

[mando_dan]

Sad indeed. Hate to see these 2nd and 3rd generation x-grass folks passing on.

[Glassweb]

now there's someone i would love to have played music with! when great musicians like Rob leave us (as many have this year) the world is a whole lot poorer for it...

play on brothers and sisters... play on...

[Marcus CA]

Huge loss! Wasserman took the bass where no bass had gone before.

[lenf12]

now there's someone i would love to have played music with! when great musicians like Rob leave us (as many have this year) the world is a whole lot poorer for it...

play on brothers and sisters... play on...

Which is the reason why we must pass the torch and embrace the newer members of the acoustic music community. It really does not have to sound like Bill to be genuine. It just has to be good...

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Lorenzo LaRue]

Quintet '80 is top of the list on my desert island stack period. Just some of the most dazzling playing from RB, MM, MO, DA, & The Dawg. Rob's bowing was absolutely magical. Your music will always be part of me. R.I.P. my brother.