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undreds of years ago, African slaves
brought some early versions of the
banjo to colonial America. The 19th
and 20th centuries saw the instru
ment become a fundamental aspect of folk and
bluegrass music, with virtuoso players giving
rise to an instantly recognizable, mile-a-min-
ute picking style that continues to entrance
people all over the world.
Bela Fleck both exemplifies and defies the
archetype of the virtuoso banjoist. Unlike
many traditional bluegrass musicians, Fleck
acknowledges no musical boundaries. He has
been nominated in more categories than any
other artist in Grammy history, tackling blue
grass, classical, pop, jazz and several other
genres with nothing more than his trusty
banjo.
"I don't think I was trying to defy any
one," says Fleck, "in that there was no anger
involved. But I liked the idea of an adventure,
musically. And some of the music I was really
curious about had no banjo in it. So, as I tried
to learn, I was conscious of the fact that I
was often breaking new ground. And I liked
the feeling."
The 2009 documentary (and album of the
same name) Throw Down Your Heart shows
Fleck breaking new ground as he travels to
several African countries, using his modern,
Americanized banjo to collaborate with tra
ditional African musicians. "The trip to Africa
was a truly broadening experience," says
Fleck. "I get to have these experiences with
people from different cultures or musical back
grounds every year or so, and I try to allow
as much influence as possible to happen,
when I know I'm going to have this type of
opportunity."
Throw Down Your Heart is the most recent
of Fleck's several solo albums, and now that
he's back on the road with The Flecktones, the
artist is tastefully playing off of that African
experience to influence the experimental, pro
gressive jazz sound of his longtime band.
"There is one song that was influenced
by an African piece I learned, but it doesn't
sound African in [The Flecktones'] hands. I
just really liked this one rhythm and built my
own song around it called "Falani," after the
tune that inspired it. Sometimes I find places
to inject some of the African feel into our
tunes in unexpected places."
Fleck isn't the only renowned, virtuoso
musician in his band. In fact, The Flecktones
are comprised entirely of world-class, genre-
defying artists. Victor Wooten has won
five Grammys and has received Bass Player
Magazine's "Bassist of the Year" award
three times. Recently, a Rolling Stone read
ers' poll ranked him among the "10 Greatest
Bass Players of All Time." Wooten is widely
idolized—local promoter/bassist/all-around
great guy Rich Mullinax (who claims that this
upcoming concert will be his 43rd Flecktones
show) says simply: "Victor Wooten: we bass
ists swoon at the very name!" Fleck is also
joined by Roy "Future Man" Wooten on percus
sion, Victor's brother and an innovative instru
mentalist in his own right.
In recent years, The Flecktones took some
time off while the members pursued solo
projects, only playing "holiday tours with
the Flecktones every December" that "lasted
a couple of weeks each" after the release of
their 2008 holiday album. Jingle All the Way.
"This is the first 'Flecktone year' in four
years, and the first with Howard Levy in the
band since 1992!" exclaims Fleck. "It's like a
totally different band with Howard's incred
ible harmonica and piano playing, and it is a
return to the 'classic' sound of The Flecktones
from the first three records. The band is on
fire."
Earlier this year, The Flecktones released
Rocket Science, their first studio album since
2008. This most recent album is the first to
feature the original*Flecktones lineup since
1992's UFO Tofu, much to Fleck's satisfaction:
"It was very familiar and yet exciting, like
something new. We knew what to do, and that
was very satisfying to discover. I had lots of
tunes saved up, so there was plenty to pick
from in terms of material."
This Flecktones show will be part of the
Georgia Theatre's grand re-opening, and Fleck
is excited to be returning to the venue. "I
used to enjoy the relaxed and informal feel
of the Georgia Theatre," he says. "We used to
start our tours there to have an easy-going
first show. Invariably, these would be great
nights, 'cause no one was uptight."
Fleck emphasizes that "there is much new
for a Flecktone veteran from any version of
the group," conveying great enthusiasm about
reaching old fans in new ways and new fans in
familiar ways.
"Folks who have seen us with Jeff [Coffin,
Flecktones saxophonist from 1998-2010] will
see a very different show. Folks who saw us in
the early '90s with Howard will see a very dif
ferent but familiar show. Folks who have never
seen us will see some pretty amazing and
unique dudes doing what they love."
Kevin Craig
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WHO: Bela Fleck and The Flecktones
WHERE: The Georgia Theatre
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 10,9 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $30
V )
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