Richard Greene
Best known for
Fiddle
Richard Greene is the fiddler widely credited with popularizing the “chop” — the percussive backbeat that became a defining rhythmic feature of bluegrass and later new-acoustic music. Classically trained, he pushed the fiddle into progressive bluegrass, jazz-grass, and chamber fusion through his work with Bill Monroe, Seatrain, Muleskinner, and David Grisman.
- Born November 9, 1942, in Beverly Hills, California; began classical violin study at age 5 before turning to folk music as a teenager.
- Studied at UC Berkeley, playing with the Coast Mountain Ramblers and David Lindley’s Dry City Scat Band.
- One of Bill Monroe’s first “northern” Blue Grass Boys, joining in 1966; widely credited with popularizing the fiddle “chop.”
- Recorded with the Jim Kweskin Jug Band on the 1967 album Garden of Joy.
- Co-founded the roots-rock band Seatrain with Andy Kulberg and Jim Roberts in 1969; their 1970 self-titled album was produced by George Martin.
- Member of the short-lived but legendary Muleskinner in 1973 alongside Peter Rowan, Bill Keith, Clarence White, and David Grisman.
- Helped create the “new acoustic” sound with David Grisman around 1974 through the Great American Music Band, which evolved into the David Grisman Quintet.
- Led the Greene String Quartet through three albums blending jazz, folk, rock, and chamber music.
- Won a 1997 Grammy for instrumental performance; received a 1998 Grammy nomination for his bluegrass album Sales Tax Toddle.
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Peter RowanPlayed on recordings with Peter Rowan
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Tony RicePlayed on recordings with Tony Rice
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Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass BoysPlayed on recordings with Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys
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David Grisman and Tony RicePlayed on recordings with David Grisman and Tony Rice
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Charles SawtellePlayed on recording with Charles Sawtelle
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Country GazettePlayed on recording with Country Gazette
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Tim and Mollie O'BrienPlayed on recording with Tim and Mollie O'Brien