David Surette has passed.

[Gelsenbury]

Rest in peace. This is very sad news. He was one of my favourite players, and one that I've always wanted to sound like.

My thoughts are with David's family and friends.

[Chuck Leyda]

He made so much wonderful music. Very inspiring. Rest in Peace.

[Eric F.]

One email and I felt like we were old friends. I'm so sorry to hear this news.

[Marcus CA]

I started taking an online class from David a few months ago, and was astounded when it was suspended due to his illness. He was so energetic and upbeat that I never would have suspected he was seriously ill.

Four years ago at Swannanoa, his class was the only one of my choices that had already filled up by the time I registered an hour after registration opened. At least I got to see him play during his own set and many others at the faculty concerts, as Don Stiernberg described. At the merch table, I bought David’s The Green Mandolin album, which I generally play once or twice a month. Here is my favorite tune from the album:



I’m sure that his memory will be a blessing to his family, friends, and fans.

[Gan Ainm]

A wonderful teacher player and person. Always a highlight of the many camps where I took his lessons and enjoyed his teaching, playing and especially his vibe. I found this sad news because right about now I was thinking about mando accompaniment styles and realized I have some "tape" from lessons he did on just that- I have to find and dig into. He even brought in a few Richard Thompson songs to try when he realized we had a shared admiration for that master.
Farewell. Condolences to his family, David made my life richer.

[Gene Summers]

It's heartwarming to read the stories told about David Surette and his wonderful, beautiful music. Such sad news. Rest in Peace David, and thanks for brightening our lives with your music!

[tmsweeney]

I remember he played a nice old 3 point F2 at a forum he and John McGann put on up in Concord NH, must be 20 years ago. He was a very inspiring player and demonstrated many styles at that gathering, It was refreshing for me to see someone doing more than just bluegrass on mandolin back in the day. I hope he found peace.

[Mandobar]

I remember he played a nice old 3 point F2 at a forum he and John McGann put on up in Concord NH, must be 20 years ago. He was a very inspiring player and demonstrated many styles at that gathering, It was refreshing for me to see someone doing more than just bluegrass on mandolin back in the day. I hope he found peace.

That was either the first or second March Mandolin Festival. 2001 and 2002 was just David and John. The mandolin is an old F4 which had been the victim of a house fire, which David had gotten from a friend. It had a new neck made by Jack O’Brien, a luthier in New Hampshire. David was still playing it on and off, but was quite smitten with his Girouard.

[mandomentch]

I believe the mandolin you're referring to is a 1918 Gibson 2-point F-2 that had previously belonged to Pete Colby.

[Mike Marshall]

Very very sad news indeed.
Never a sweeter guy. Such a talented, big eared, always supportive musician with a litany of skills from all corners. And what a Teacher!
A Great Gentle Man has left us.
Let's all try to be a bit more like him.

MM

[Dagger Gordon]

I note that it is a year since David died.

A really sad loss. Fondly remembered.

[Jim Garber]

I was just playing some bourees and othe French tunes from his book last night.

[Mando Esq]

I’m sorry to say that I never had the chance to meet Mr. Surette, despite him being local to NH and New England.

I have listened to The Green Mandolin probably 80-100 times. It’s an incredible album and has really inspired my playing. I agree with the above poster that my favorite tune off the album is Robertson’s Reel. I learned it last year just because I liked his version so much (though my playing can’t possibly include so-many-damn-notes that he somehow finds a way to put in there).

As a related question, does anyone know what mandolin he played on that album?

[Dagger Gordon]

As a related question, does anyone know what mandolin he played on that album?

I think he might have been playing a Stonebridge (Czech Republic) mandolin around that time. Not sure though. There's a discussion about it here:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/a...p/t-56513.html

[Mandobar]

He had an old Gibson F4 that was renecked by Jack O’Brien. Some of the album was recorded using the Gibson and some the Stonebridge. He repped for Stonebridge and even sold quite a few of their mandolins for them for a bit.

I just looked at the album cover and he’s indeed holding the Stonebridge.

[jmagill]

A great loss I still feel a year later.

David taught at the Gathering numerous times, and on one occasion, after a typically brilliant concert set, when he walked offstage, I told him, "Why the hell aren't you more famous?!"

Both of us cracked up. Then had a beer.

[Dagger Gordon]

"Why the hell aren't you more famous?!"

I often wondered that.

[BBarton]

According to The Green Mandolin liner notes, he used his Stonebridge F-5, but also his 1918 Gibson F-2 on a few tracks. He also used a Trillium cittern on several tracks. Yeah, great album!

[musicofanatic]

One year gone...not only a loss to the entire world of music, but certainly heavily felt by those of us who would see him in the grocery store, tossing one back at The Pressroom or just on the street around here...

[danielpatrick]

I really wish I would have been able to meet David in person. We had a great chat before and after the recording of the episode he was on. You can listen to it here. https://mandolinsandbeer.com/2021/02...david-surette/