Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

December 11, 1952

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Butch Baldassari was a renowned mandolin player and composer in the world of classical music. He was born on September 14, 1952, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a musical family. His father played the accordion, and his mother was a singer. Butch started playing the mandolin at the age of 13 and quickly fell in love with the instrument. Butch's talent for the mandolin was evident from an early age, and he began performing professionally while still in high school. He went on to study music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he honed his skills as a musician and composer. After graduating from Berklee, Butch moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he became a sought-after session musician. He played on numerous recordings for artists such as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Alison Krauss. Butch also formed his own band, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, which released several albums and toured extensively. In addition to his work in country and bluegrass music, Butch was also a respected classical musician. He recorded several albums of classical mandolin music, including "Mozart on the Mandolin" and "Vivaldi: The Four Seasons for Mandolin." He also collaborated with classical musicians such as violinist Mark O'Connor and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. One of the highlights of Butch's career was his performance at the White House in 1998. He was invited to play for President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, and he performed a selection of classical and traditional music on the mandolin. Butch was also a prolific composer, and he wrote music for the mandolin as well as for other instruments. His compositions were influenced by a wide range of musical styles, including classical, bluegrass, and jazz. He was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of the mandolin as a solo instrument, and many of his compositions showcased the instrument's versatility and range. Throughout his career, Butch received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the world of music. He was a two-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's Mandolin Player of the Year award, and he was inducted into the Mandolin Hall of Fame in 2012. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Classical Mandolin Society of America in 2013. Tragically, Butch's career was cut short when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2009. He continued to perform and record music throughout his illness, and he remained an inspiration to his fans and fellow musicians until his death on January 10, 2016. Butch Baldassari was a true master of the mandolin, and his contributions to the world of music will be remembered for generations to come. His passion for the instrument and his dedication to exploring its possibilities as a solo instrument helped to elevate the mandolin to new heights of artistic expression. His legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world, and his music will always be cherished by those who love the sound of the mandolin.

More....