James Kerwin
Musician · Pacifica, California
Best known for
Bass
Jim Kerwin is a San Francisco-born classically trained bassist who became the longest-tenured member of the David Grisman Quintet (since 1985) — the bass voice on essentially all of David Grisman's collaborations with Jerry Garcia and on six Grammy-nominated recordings spanning bluegrass, jazz, klezmer, and Latin idioms.
- Born 1952 in San Francisco, California; resides in Pacifica, California.
- Began on guitar in high school, switched to electric bass, then took up classical double bass after hearing Scott LaFaro, Eddie Gomez, and Charlie Haden.
- Studied solo double bass for five years at San Francisco State University under S. Charles Siani, earning a performance degree.
- Toured Europe in an avant-garde jazz trio led by vibraphonist Larry Blackshere before joining the David Grisman Quintet in September 1985.
- Longest-tenured member of the David Grisman Quintet (DGQ); featured on essentially all of Grisman's collaborations with Jerry Garcia.
- Has performed with bluegrass greats Red Allen and Del McCoury and shared a Carnegie Hall stage with Stéphane Grappelli and Yo-Yo Ma.
- Featured on six Grammy-nominated recordings spanning big band, bluegrass, jazz, klezmer, and Latin idioms.
- Also a member of the Nell Robinson and Jim Nunally Band.
-
David GrismanPlayed on recordings with David Grisman
-
Bluegrass ReunionPlayed on recordings with Bluegrass Reunion
-
Jerry Garcia and David GrismanPlayed on recordings with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman