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Béla Fleck

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Babar
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Babar
Album:
Released: Jan 1, 2009
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General Info

  • Genre: Alternative / Bluegrass

    Location Nashville, Tennessee, US

    Profile Views: 56437

    Last Login: 1/15/2012

    Member Since 1/19/2009

    Website http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmJlbGFmbGVjay5jb20=

    Record Label Rounder Records

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    Bela Fleck is often considered the premier banjo player in the world. A New York City native, he picked up the banjo at age 15 after being awed by the bluegrass music of Flatt & Scruggs. While still in high school he began experimenting with playing bebop jazz on his banjo, mentored by fellow banjo renegade Tony Trischka. In 1980, he released his first solo album, Crossing the Tracks, with material that ranged from straight ahead bluegrass to Chick Corea's "Spain." In 1982, Fleck joined the progressive bluegrass band New Grass Revival, making a name for himself on countless solo and ensemble projects ever since as a virtuoso instrumentalist. In 1989 he formed the genre-busting Flecktones, with members equally talented and adventurous as himself. "Throw Down Your Heart", the third volume in Bela's renowned "Tales From the Acoustic Planet" series, is his most ambitious project to date. In on-location collaborations with musicians from Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, South Africa and Madagascar, Bela Fleck explores the African origins of the banjo, the prototype of which was brought to American shores by African slaves. "Throw Down Your Heart" is a companion to the award-winning film of the same name, which Bela and director Sascha Paladino are currently premiering at festivals nationwide. Transcending barriers of language and culture, Fleck finds common ground with musicians ranging from local villagers to international superstars such as the Malian diva Oumou Sangare to create some of the most meaningful music of his career. As to the origins of the banjo, Bela comments, "When I went to Africa I found instruments and players that gave me a better sense of where the thing started. In Gambia and Mali in particular, I found what I was looking for!" This is especially apparent on the traditional song medley "Ajula/Mbamba," performed by Bela and The Jatta Family from the Gambia. "The akonting could very well be the original banjo. Everyone around Banjul certainly seems to think so! Huge numbers of slaves came west from this area. We were told that the musicians were allowed to play these instruments on the slave ships, and that many lives were saved due to it."

  • Members

    For booking information, contact: Ted Kurland Associates Tel. 617-254-0007 agents@tedkurland.com http://tedkurland.com

  • Influences

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Latest News

Check out this recent article about a Béla experience

For the perennially experimental Alabama Symphony, booking Bela Fleck for its Classical Edge series was a sure winner. Like ASO, Fleck is expanding his musical world, seriously projecting the possibilities of his instrument, the banjo, beyond bluegrass to classical and world stages.


Thursday’s concert marked the second performance of Fleck’s Banjo Concerto, a gem that he and the Nashville Symphony premiered in September. Appearing relaxed as the frontman of a symphony orchestra rather than a bluegrass quartet, Fleck had the work memorized, enabling an easy rapport with conductor Fawzi Haimor and various orchestral soloists. His instrument’s gentle twang needed amplification, but it was done unobtrusively and with careful balance...

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