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{{Short description|American composer and bassist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Rob Wasserman
| name = Rob Wasserman
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| occupation = Musician
| caption =
| caption =
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_date = {{birth date|1952|4|1}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1952|4|1}}
| birth_place = [[San Mateo, California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[San Mateo, California|San Mateo]], California, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|6|29|1952|4|1}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|6|29|1952|4|1}}
| death_place = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| death_place = Los Angeles
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[jazz]], [[American folk music|folk]]
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[jazz]], [[American folk music|folk]]
| instrument = [[Upright bass]]
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| instrument = Double bass
| label =
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| associated_acts = [[Bob Weir & RatDog]]
| label =
| associated_acts = [[Bob Weir & RatDog]]
}}
}}

'''Rob Wasserman''' (April 1, 1952 – June 29, 2016)<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |work=The New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/arts/music/rob-wasserman-grammy-nominated-rock-bassist-dies-at-64.html |title=Rob Wasserman, Grammy-Nominated Rock Bassist, Dies at 64 |author=Associated Press |date=June 30, 2016 |accessdate=July 1, 2016}}</ref> was an American composer and bass player. A Grammy Award and NEA grant winner, he played and recorded with a wide variety of musicians including [[Bruce Cockburn]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[Ani di Franco]], [[Jerry Garcia]], [[David Grisman]], [[Rickie Lee Jones]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Aaron Neville]], [[Lou Reed]], [[Pete Seeger]], [[Jules Shear]], [[Studs Terkel]], [[Bob Weir]], [[Brian Wilson]], [[Chris Whitley]], [[Neil Young]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[Laurie Anderson]], [[Stephen Perkins]], [[Banyan]], [[Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo]], and [[Ratdog]].<ref>Vaziri, Aidin (June 30, 2016). [http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Rob-Wasserman-bassist-who-played-with-Bob-Weir-8333315.php "Rob Wasserman, Bassist Who Played with Bob Weir, Dies at 64"], ''San Francisco Chronicle''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref><ref>Brandle, Lars (June 30, 2016). [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7423867/rob-wasserman-obit "Rob Wasserman, Bassist Who Played with Lou Reed, Elvis Costello and Bob Weir, Dies at 64"], ''Billboard''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.deaddisc.com/GDFD_Rob_Wasserman.htm "Rob Wasserman Discography"], Grateful Dead Family Discography. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref>
'''Rob Wasserman''' (April 1, 1952 – June 29, 2016)<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/arts/music/rob-wasserman-grammy-nominated-rock-bassist-dies-at-64.html |title=Rob Wasserman, Grammy-Nominated Rock Bassist, Dies at 64 |agency=Associated Press |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=July 1, 2016}}</ref> was an American composer and bass player. A Grammy Award and NEA grant winner, he played and recorded with a wide variety of musicians including [[Bob Weir]], [[Bruce Cockburn]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[Ani di Franco]], [[Jerry Garcia]], [[David Grisman]], [[Stéphane Grappelli]], [[Rickie Lee Jones]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Steve Morse]], [[Aaron Neville]], [[Lou Reed]], [[Pete Seeger]], [[Jules Shear]], [[Brian Wilson]], [[Chris Whitley]], [[Neil Young]], [[Jackson Browne]], [[Laurie Anderson]], [[Stephen Perkins]], [[Banyan (band)|Banyan]], [[Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo]], and [[Ratdog]].<ref>Vaziri, Aidin (June 30, 2016). [http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Rob-Wasserman-bassist-who-played-with-Bob-Weir-8333315.php "Rob Wasserman, Bassist Who Played with Bob Weir, Dies at 64"], ''San Francisco Chronicle''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref><ref>Brandle, Lars (June 30, 2016). [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7423867/rob-wasserman-obit "Rob Wasserman, Bassist Who Played with Lou Reed, Elvis Costello and Bob Weir, Dies at 64"], ''Billboard''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.deaddisc.com/GDFD_Rob_Wasserman.htm "Rob Wasserman Discography"], Grateful Dead Family Discography. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref>


He is best known for his own work on the trilogy of albums, ''Solo'', ''Duets'', and ''Trios''.<ref name="AMG"/><ref>Smith, Roger Len (January / February 1994). [https://www.relix.com/articles/detail/rob_wasserman_bass_ically_unique_flashback_friday "Rob Wasserman: Bass-ically Unique"], ''Relix''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref><ref>Liebman, Jon (May 28, 2012). [http://forbassplayersonly.com/interview-rob-wasserman/ "Rob Wasserman: Exclusive Interview"], ''For Bass Players Only''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref>
He is best known for his own work on the trilogy of albums, ''Solo'', ''Duets'', and ''Trios''.<ref name="AMG"/><ref>Smith, Roger Len (January / February 1994). [https://www.relix.com/articles/detail/rob_wasserman_bass_ically_unique_flashback_friday "Rob Wasserman: Bass-ically Unique"], ''Relix''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref><ref>Liebman, Jon (May 28, 2012). [http://forbassplayersonly.com/interview-rob-wasserman/ "Rob Wasserman: Exclusive Interview"], ''For Bass Players Only''. Retrieved July 2, 2016.</ref>


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Wasserman started playing violin, and graduated to the bass after his teenage years. He studied at the [[San Francisco Conservatory of Music]] where he studied composing with John Adams, and double bass with San Francisco Symphony bassists.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Yanow |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p7776/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Rob Wasserman Biography |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=October 14, 2011}}</ref>
Wasserman started playing violin, and graduated to the bass after his teenage years. He studied at the [[San Francisco Conservatory of Music]] where he studied composing with [[John Adams (composer)|John Adams]] and double bass with San Francisco Symphony bassists.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Yanow |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p7776/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Rob Wasserman Biography |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref>


Early on, he played with Van Morrison, Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, and the David Grisman Quintet. His 1983 album, ''Solo'' won Downbeat Magazine's Record of the Year award. Two subsequent albums, ''Duets'' and ''Trios'', saw Wasserman engage with other musicians, such as [[Bobby McFerrin]], [[Rickie Lee Jones]], [[Cheryl Bentyne]], [[Lou Reed]], [[Stéphane Grappelli]], [[Jerry Garcia]], Brian Wilson, [[Willie Dixon]], [[Branford Marsalis]], and [[Elvis Costello]].
He worked with [[Van Morrison]], [[Oingo Boingo]], and [[David Grisman]]. His 1983 album ''Solo'' won ''[[Down Beat]]'' magazine's Record of the Year award. On the albums ''Duets'' and ''Trios'', he worked with [[Bobby McFerrin]], [[Rickie Lee Jones]], [[Cheryl Bentyne]], [[Lou Reed]], [[Stéphane Grappelli]], [[Jerry Garcia]], [[Brian Wilson]], [[Willie Dixon]], [[Branford Marsalis]], [[Bob Weir]], [[Edie Brickell]], [[Les Claypool]], [[Neil Young]], and [[Elvis Costello]].


Duets was nominated for three Grammy Awards, and Bobby McFerrin won one for a track, "Brothers", which was performed with Wasserman. Wasserman also won Holland's Edison Award for Record of the Year.
''Duets'' was nominated for three Grammy Awards. Bobby McFerrin won for "Brothers", which was performed with Wasserman. Wasserman also won Holland's Edison Award for Record of the Year.


His 2000 album, ''Space Island'', incorporated more contemporary musical elements. [[RatDog]], which he co- founded with Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead, occupied much of his time. He also toured extensively with Lou Reed.
His 2000 album, ''Space Island'', incorporated more contemporary musical elements. [[RatDog]], which he co-founded with Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead, occupied much of his time. He toured extensively with Lou Reed.


Wasserman was a judge for the sixth-tenth annual [[The Independent Music Awards|Independent Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp |title=Independent Music Awards – Past Judges|publisher=Independent Music Awards|accessdate=November 1, 2015}}</ref>
Wasserman was a judge for the 6th–10th annual Independent Music Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp|title=Independent Music Awards – Past Judges|publisher=Independent Music Awards|access-date=November 1, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713024722/http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp|archive-date=July 13, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


Wasserman died of cancer on June 29, 2016, at age 64.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-30 |title=Rob Wasserman, accomplished bass player, dead at 64 |url=https://apnews.com/article/a66115906db540229582dc24385ff42c |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}</ref> He was remembered by KQED as "the [[Grammy Awards|Grammy-winning]] bassist whose playing accompanied everyone from Van Morrison to Willie Dixon."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meline |first=Gabe |date=June 29, 2016 |title=Rob Wasserman, Masterful Upright Bassist, Dies After Brief Hospitalization {{!}} KQED |url=https://www.kqed.org/arts/11754652/rob-wasserman-masterful-upright-bassist-dies-after-brief-hospitalization |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005032028/https://www.kqed.org/arts/11754652/rob-wasserman-masterful-upright-bassist-dies-after-brief-hospitalization |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=www.kqed.org |language=en}}</ref> He was interred in Salem Memorial Park and Garden in [[Colma, California]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://jewishcemeteries.colma.ca.pontemsoftware.com/ | title=Online Burial Search | publisher=Jewish Cemeteries of Colma | accessdate=7 June 2023}}</ref>
He died June 29, 2016 .

==Family==
Rob's surviving relatives were his wife Veronica, his daughter Sara, his sister Cindy, his brother, Bruce, and his mother, Dunia.<ref name="NYTobit">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/arts/music/rob-wasserman-grammy-nominated-rock-bassist-dies-at-64.html?_r=0 |title=Rob Wasserman, Grammy-Nominated Rock Bassist, Dies at 64}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
===As leader===
⚫
*''[[Quintet '80]]'' – [[David Grisman Quintet]] – 1980
* ''Solo'' ([[Rounder Records|Rounder]], 1983)
⚫
*''[[Mondo Mando]]'' – David Grisman Quintet – 1981
* ''Duets'' ([[MCA Records|MCA]], 1988)
⚫
*''[[Beautiful Vision]]'' – [[Van Morrison]] – 1982
* ''Trios'' ([[GRP Records|GRP]], 1994)
*''Solo'' – Rob Wasserman – 1983
* ''Space Island'' ([[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], 2000)
*''Duets'' – Rob Wasserman – 1988
*''[[Flying Cowboys]]'' – [[Rickie Lee Jones]] – 1989
* ''[[Cosmic Farm]]'' ([[Tone Center Records|Tone Center]], 2005)

⚫
*''[[New_York (album)|New York]]'' – [[Lou Reed]] – 1989
===As co-leader===
⚫
*''[[Mighty Like a Rose]]'' – [[Elvis Costello]] – 1991
*''[[Magic and Loss]]'' – Lou Reed – 1992
* ''[[Live (Weir/Wasserman album)|Live]]'', with [[Bob Weir]] (1999)
⚫
* ''[[Fall 1989: The Long Island Sound]]'', with Bob Weir and [[Jerry Garcia Band]] (2013)
*''Trios'' – Rob Wasserman – 1994
⚫
* ''Dua'', with [[Sultan Khan (musician)|Sultan Khan]] (2001)
⚫
*''[[Naked Songs – Live and Acoustic]]'' – Rickie Lee Jones – 1995

⚫
*''The Original Wang Dang Doodle'' – [[Willie Dixon]] – 1995
===As sideman===
⚫
*''The Charity of Night'' – [[Bruce Cockburn]] – 1996
'''With [[David Grisman]]'''
*''[[Live (Weir/Wasserman album)|Live]]'' – [[Bob Weir]] and Rob Wasserman – January 13, 1999
⚫
* ''[[Quintet '80]]'' 1980
*''Space Island'' – Rob Wasserman – August 15, 2000
* ''[[Stephane Grappelli/David Grisman Live]]'' with [[Stéphane Grappelli]] (1981)
⚫
*''[[Evening Moods]]'' – [[RatDog]] – September 26, 2000
*''[[Live at Roseland]]'' – RatDog – July 2001
* ''[[Mondo Mando]]'' (1981)

⚫
*''Dua'' – [[Sultan Khan (musician)|Ustad Sultan Khan]] and Rob Wasserman – 2001
'''With [[Lou Reed]]'''
*''Bassically Me'' – Rob Wasserman – 2002
⚫
* ''[[New York (album)|New York]]'' (1989)
*''Trilogy'' (box set of ''Solo'', ''Duets'', and ''Trios'') – Rob Wasserman – August 3, 2004
* ''[[Magic and Loss]]'' (1992)
*''Cosmic Farm'' – Rob Wasserman, Craig Erickson, [[T Lavitz]], [[Jeff Sipe]] – 2005
⚫
* ''[[Lulu (Lou Reed and Metallica album)|Lulu]]'' with [[Metallica]] (2011)
*''Note of Hope'' – various artists – September 27, 2011

⚫
*''[[Lulu (Lou Reed and Metallica album)|Lulu]]'' – Lou Reed and [[Metallica]] – October 31, 2011
'''With [[Rickie Lee Jones]]'''
⚫
*''[[Fall 1989: The Long Island Sound]]'' – [[Jerry Garcia Band]] and Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman – December 17, 2013
* ''[[Flying Cowboys]]'' (1989)
⚫
*"Summertime" – [[Nineteen Thirteen]] – 2015<ref>Tarnoff, Andy (June 22, 2015). [http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/andytarnoff/summertime1913.html "Nineteen Thirteen Crosses Time, Space with "Summertime" Cover"], ''OnMilwaukee''. Retrieved August 2, 2016.</ref>
⚫
* ''[[Naked Songs – Live and Acoustic]]'' (1995)

'''With others'''
⚫
* ''[[Beautiful Vision]]'', [[Van Morrison]] (1982)
⚫
* ''[[Mighty Like a Rose]]'', [[Elvis Costello]] (1991)
⚫
* ''The Original Wang Dang Doodle'', [[Willie Dixon]] (1995)
⚫
* ''The Charity of Night'', [[Bruce Cockburn]] (1996)
⚫
* ''[[Evening Moods]]'', [[RatDog]] (2000)
* ''[[Live at Roseland]]'', RatDog (2001)
⚫
* ''Summertime'', Nineteen Thirteen (2015)<ref>Tarnoff, Andy (June 22, 2015). [http://onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/authors/andytarnoff/summertime1913.html "Nineteen Thirteen Crosses Time, Space with "Summertime" Cover"], ''OnMilwaukee''. Retrieved August 2, 2016.</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:People from San Mateo, California]]
[[Category:American rock double-bassists]]
[[Category:American rock double-bassists]]
[[Category:American male double-bassists]]
[[Category:Musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:San Francisco Conservatory of Music alumni]]
[[Category:San Francisco Conservatory of Music alumni]]
[[Category:RatDog members]]
⚫
[[Category:David Grisman Quintet members]]

Latest revision as of 21:10, 15 August 2024

Rob Wasserman
Born(1952-04-01)April 1, 1952
San Mateo, California, U.S.
DiedJune 29, 2016(2016-06-29) (aged 64)
Los Angeles
GenresRock, jazz, folk
OccupationMusician
InstrumentDouble bass

Rob Wasserman (April 1, 1952 – June 29, 2016)[1] was an American composer and bass player. A Grammy Award and NEA grant winner, he played and recorded with a wide variety of musicians including Bob Weir, Bruce Cockburn, Elvis Costello, Ani di Franco, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Stéphane Grappelli, Rickie Lee Jones, Van Morrison, Steve Morse, Aaron Neville, Lou Reed, Pete Seeger, Jules Shear, Brian Wilson, Chris Whitley, Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Laurie Anderson, Stephen Perkins, Banyan, Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, and Ratdog.[2][3][4]

He is best known for his own work on the trilogy of albums, Solo, Duets, and Trios.[5][6][7]

Life and career

[edit]

Wasserman started playing violin, and graduated to the bass after his teenage years. He studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he studied composing with John Adams and double bass with San Francisco Symphony bassists.[5]

He worked with Van Morrison, Oingo Boingo, and David Grisman. His 1983 album Solo won Down Beat magazine's Record of the Year award. On the albums Duets and Trios, he worked with Bobby McFerrin, Rickie Lee Jones, Cheryl Bentyne, Lou Reed, Stéphane Grappelli, Jerry Garcia, Brian Wilson, Willie Dixon, Branford Marsalis, Bob Weir, Edie Brickell, Les Claypool, Neil Young, and Elvis Costello.

Duets was nominated for three Grammy Awards. Bobby McFerrin won for "Brothers", which was performed with Wasserman. Wasserman also won Holland's Edison Award for Record of the Year.

His 2000 album, Space Island, incorporated more contemporary musical elements. RatDog, which he co-founded with Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead, occupied much of his time. He toured extensively with Lou Reed.

Wasserman was a judge for the 6th–10th annual Independent Music Awards.[8]

Wasserman died of cancer on June 29, 2016, at age 64.[9] He was remembered by KQED as "the Grammy-winning bassist whose playing accompanied everyone from Van Morrison to Willie Dixon."[10] He was interred in Salem Memorial Park and Garden in Colma, California.[11]

Discography

[edit]

As leader

[edit]

As co-leader

[edit]

As sideman

[edit]

With David Grisman

With Lou Reed

With Rickie Lee Jones

With others

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rob Wasserman, Grammy-Nominated Rock Bassist, Dies at 64". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  2. ^ Vaziri, Aidin (June 30, 2016). "Rob Wasserman, Bassist Who Played with Bob Weir, Dies at 64", San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  3. ^ Brandle, Lars (June 30, 2016). "Rob Wasserman, Bassist Who Played with Lou Reed, Elvis Costello and Bob Weir, Dies at 64", Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  4. ^ "Rob Wasserman Discography", Grateful Dead Family Discography. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. "Rob Wasserman Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  6. ^ Smith, Roger Len (January / February 1994). "Rob Wasserman: Bass-ically Unique", Relix. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. ^ Liebman, Jon (May 28, 2012). "Rob Wasserman: Exclusive Interview", For Bass Players Only. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ^ "Independent Music Awards – Past Judges". Independent Music Awards. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Rob Wasserman, accomplished bass player, dead at 64". AP NEWS. June 30, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  10. ^ Meline, Gabe (June 29, 2016). "Rob Wasserman, Masterful Upright Bassist, Dies After Brief Hospitalization | KQED". www.kqed.org. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Online Burial Search". Jewish Cemeteries of Colma. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  12. ^ Tarnoff, Andy (June 22, 2015). "Nineteen Thirteen Crosses Time, Space with "Summertime" Cover", OnMilwaukee. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
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