Real authentic acoustic instrumental bluegrass music played by some of the best in the biz, Bluegrass Tracks is the 2024 solo album by New York based mandolin player extraordinaire and composer Andy Statman. On the 12-track, 42 minute CD Andy’s mandolin work shines in a sea of bluegrass superstars including the late Byron Berline (fiddle), Ron Stewart (banjo), Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar) and Mike Bub (double bass).

Andy explains, “Bluegrass was the first music I really learned how to play and really understand”, and listening to Bluegrass Tracks from that point of view Statman shines in this setting playing the music he first mastered.

It is also interesting to note Andy’s background in the realm of traditional Jewish music and for those in the know, he actually became a clarinet protégé of Klezmer music legend Dave Tarras, the Ukrainian superstar of the clarinet music as well as playing with Dylan, the Dead, Bromberg and many more. Tarras, who died in 1989, bequeathed his clarinets to Andy, his greatest protégé.

Among the guest artists included on Bluegrass Tracks are country music superstar Ricky Skaggs on mandolin and guitar, along with Tim O’Brien on guitar and vocals on the album’s lone vocal number. The album was expertly produced by Edward Haber and the sound of recording is clear as a bell, as the genre requires.

With its offset of Statman originals and a pair of covers from the legendary 20^th century bluegrass icon Bill Monroe, Andy Statman’s Bluegrass Tracks is as close to completely relaxed country-tinged instrumental bluegrass as you can get.