Jerusalem Ridge

A bluegrass instrumental composed by Bill Monroe (Kentucky, 1911–1996), named for a ridge near his birthplace of Rosine, Kentucky, where his mentor Uncle Pen Vandiver used to play fiddle. The tune was developed collaboratively with fiddler Kenny Baker around August 1970, when Monroe invited Baker to his hotel room in Ashland, Kentucky and asked him to generate melodic ideas. Baker contributed the first, second, and fourth parts, while Monroe supplied the third. It was first recorded by Monroe in March 1975, and Baker’s definitive recording appears on Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe (County 761 / County CO-2708-CD). The tune has also been recorded by Kevin Burke on Up Close (Green Linnet, 1984) and by Bob Black on Ladies on the Steamboat (Ridge Runner RRR0018, 1979).