We've lost a wonderful human being who was a superb musician.
We've lost a wonderful human being who was a superb musician.
mandolin ~ guitar ~ banjo
"I'm convinced that playing well is not so much a technique as it is a decision. It's a commitment to do the work, strive for concentration, get strategic about advancing by steps, and push patiently forward toward the goal." Dan Crary
Rest in peace, David. It's announced on his Facebook page.
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Very sad news. I loved his playing and his spirit...so sorry to hear that he passed. Condolences to his family and friends
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2019 Ruhland F5 #35
This one is hitting hard. I only got to be around him a little bit at Swananoa Gathering a few years ago where he was teaching, but seemed like a great, kind soul and a wonderful musician. Sending my condolences.
So sorry to see this -- damn. condolences to his family near and far.
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Sad news indeed, may he Rest in Peace, condolences to his family and friends.
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So sorry to hear of David's passing. Condolences.
I always loved this video of David playing Little Martha. So sweet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLvDHv0jldM
Last edited by Mandolin Cafe; Dec-22-2021 at 8:37pm.
2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
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May David’s memory be a blessing. The video Don posted was the one that introduced me to David and his music. A couple years ago I emailed him seeking out the tab for his rendition and he quickly responded. He was kind and friendly, and his music is beautiful, accessible, and eternal. His gentle soul surrounds us. Peace.
So sorry to hear this. I always loved his playing.
I met him once at his home a long time ago and we were in touch a bit over the years. He was a really nice man. Deepest condolences to Susie and their daughters.
David A. Gordon
RIP.
I just started exploring his music the last couple of years and i liked everything I heard.
Bren
Can’t see the Facebook page without an account.
This is very sad news…I was never a fan of Irish/Celtic playing until I took a workshop with David. Loved him, his teaching, and playing…RIP David and deepest condolences to his friends and family.
Northfield F5M #268, AT02 #7
As I hale from North Conway, NH, my first exposure to David was when I saw him ski at Mt. Cranmore, and for the life of me, I could not get him onto my junior high ski team. Time flies, and soon (?) we were in lineup together at the Wildcat Mountain Ski School.
As they say, the rest is history......
If my feeble memory serves me correctly, I had seen him on NH Public TV with the (late) Bill Staines and soon after I had seen his (late) retired father in the staff lounge at Kennett High School, while Dick was a substitute for the day....he had been principal at the Bartlett Elementary School....and I had to comment on how David had finally arrived....don't ask me how long ago that was......Dick just rolled with it....
I had to make sure I signed up for EVERY workshop of his at the NH Fiddleheads Jam Camp....what a GRRRRREAT teacher, besides being such MAAAVALOUS musician and a wonderful human being, and having 3 talented, musical women in his life, with wife Susie and two daughters...Isa plays with Lula Wiles.
I attended just about every Fiddleheads from 2004-2015, and tried to play in the band that David lead on our fun filled Saturday nights.
Part of the the Fiddleheads learning experience was the ad hoc bands that were formed on Saturday afternoon for the evening entertainment.
One VERY special treat was when David and Susie backed up my good friend Rebecca and myself on the Sunday morning Open Mic when we did "One More Dollar".....
Boy Howdy....we have NEVER sounded so good.
This probably WAY TMI, but I have been just so blessed to be a tiny part of David Surette's musical life that I just wanted to share it here.
We have just lost TOO many gems in the last few years.
What a wonderful musical legacy he leaves behind. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Shaun Garrity
http://www.youtube.com/user/spgokc78
Very sad news….
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So sad. I'd never met him, though I'd hoped to.
His family will be in my prayers.
Very sad to read this. Rest in peace, Sir.
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So sorry to hear this. He’s been a big influence on me since we first crossed paths in the contra dance world 30+ years ago.
Very sad. RIP David, you will be missed.
A truly great musician, wonderful gentleman, positive, cheerful, generous spirit. At the camps he would be called upon to accompany all the artists, in every style. his beautiful sense of rhythm and harmony carried every show, thanks to his selflessness and keen listening. One after another the performers would be introduced and after the second or third one the MC would be laughing..."and on guitar is David Surrette, imagine that!"--there seemed to be nothing he couldn't play and play with groove and feel. Incredible and so inspiring and wonderful to witness.
The Celtic tunes were David's specialty, but he gave so much to the art of mandolin playing in general...I've heard him play grass, swing, Dawg, classical, old-time, Italian, and he wrote all manner of tunes as well. He made his own camp, March Mandolin Festival, and it was just as eclectic and inspiring and supportive and helpful as he was.
I'm grateful for our friendship and cherish the times I got to be around David Surrette. I'm going to continue to try to be more like him.
It was a pleasure to hear him play Frieze Britches in person at Swannanoa 2017 where I was first introduced to his teaching and music, and on the Mandolin Mondays video. On my drive back from Ashville to Chicago, one of the two CDs I had with me was David's The Green Mandolin, which I played constantly. Devanney's Goat, Pidgeon on the Gate, Frieze Britches, the various An Dros and Breton tunes he taught soon were added to my list of tunes I knew. In 2019, I attended Mandolin Camp North, and took as many of David's classes as I could. I was able to choose David for my one-on-one lesson, and I will never forget playing Frieze Britches for him, and he accurately stated after I finished "Well, there is a lot we can work with there". To me, as a somewhat new mandolin player, that was a terrific compliment from a musician I really admired. The sound he produced from his pumpkin top Girouard custom mandolin led me to commission my own mandolin from Max and Laurie. Every time I pick up my mandolin, I will think of David.
TheFriezeBreeches.mp3
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May the 4 winds blow you safely home David!
Sam Lyman
Moscow, Idaho
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Very sad news. May he rest in peace.
I appreciated his music and his participation here. My sincere condolences to his friends and family,
Jamie
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
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Very saddened to hear this. I thought he was doing better, and was actually hoping to join his online class once he got better. Always loved his playing, but never got a chance to meet him in person. It's a big loss to the music community, and my sincerest condolences to his friends and family.
Very sad news, David is such an amazing musician.
For you Grateful Dead fans out there (this video was how I found out about David):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaCCBwJ8Iwo
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