by John Bush
Born in Brooklyn but taught bluegrass through mandolin lessons, Andy Statman gained repute in the bluegrass field by working with Country Cooking and cofounding Breakfast Special. His Bill Monroe and Jesse McReynolds influences are especially clear on Andys Ramble. Statmans ensemble includes Vassar Clements, Kenny Kosek and Tony Trischka. In 1998, he formed the Andy Statman Quartet with pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Scott Lee and percussionist Bob Weiner, issuing the neo-klezmer outing The Hidden Light.