Skip to content
Saturday, September 24 was a grand evening at the Nashville Symphony. Béla Fleck's Concerto for Banjo was the obvious centerpiece of the night, but the piece was bookended by two symphonic pieces, the first being Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring (with a transcendently serene outro). Next came Béla, and the excitement as he walked out was substantial, though maybe a [...]
This interview with Béla Fleck was conducted by fellow banjoist Jake Schepps, who will review the Concerto based on Saturday's performance. Jake's latest CD, An Evening In The Village, also places the banjo in a classical setting, drawing on the music of Béla Bartok. The incredibly busy and prolific Béla Fleck premiers his Concerto for [...]
Milo Farineau caught Béla Fleck & The Flecktones yesterday (8/7) at the NTELOS Pavilion in Charlottesville, VA. As always, he sent along some brilliant images.
Here is the second photo-report from Jason Lombard, on the ground at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. So everyday at Telluride starts with a sprint from the front gate, to the front of the stage, to stake out your spot for the day. It sounds simple enough, but to get pole position for said sprint one [...]
Special thanks to Doug Boxer-Cook, Director of News and Media Relations at Bowdoin College, for sending along these photos of Béla Fleck accepting his honorary Doctor of Music degree during the 2011 Commencement Ceremony at the college. Béla was introduced by Judith S. Casselberry, Bowdoin College Assistant Professor of Africana Studies, and the honorary degree [...]
Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME will award an honorary Doctor of Music degree to banjoist Béla Fleck on Saturday (5/28) during the school's 206th Commencement ceremonies. Béla will be on hand for tomorrow morning's graduation to accept his award, and will perform in this afternoon's Baccalaureate ceremony as well. Fleck came to the attention of [...]
The Berklee College of Music in Boston has just announced an exciting new program for banjo players enrolled in their Traditional String principal. Only in the past few years have banjo and mandolin players been accepted at Berklee, at least officially. Infamous Stringdusters banjoist Chris Pandolfi attended the school, but had to sneak through, taking [...]
Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer will once again be touring in 2011 with Indian percussionist Zakir Hussain. The trio released a collaborative project in 2009, The Melody Of Rhythm, which is centered around a triple concerto by that name written by Béla and Edgar to be performed with The Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Their spring tour [...]
NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts has a feature up that features an impromptu performance from Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain. This series of short concerts are shot and recorded in the offices of NPR Music, specifically at the desk of All Things Considered host Bob Boilen. Hence the name. Fleck, Meyer & Hussain offer [...]
Gone but not forgotten... That's not just the name of a terrific song, but the sentiment that most bluegrass lovers express when discussing the giants of our music who have passed on. One who squarely fits in this category is John Hartford, who left a powerful wake in his path during the 64 years he [...]
