Béla Fleck (born July 10th 1958) is widely considered as one of the most innovative banjo players of all time, revolutionising the instrument through demonstrating its versatility outside of traditional bluegrass, moving to new territories such as Bebop and free jazz.
Fleck honed his musical chops through his studies at the High School of Music and Art in New York City, US. Whilst developing his technical ability on the banjo, he also developed his eclectic taste for music, listening to the likes of Tony Trischka, Earl Scruggs, Charlie Parker, Chick Corea, The Allman Brthers and Aretha Franklin, with these artists and many more having an impact upon his playing.
After graduating, Fleck joined the group, Tasty Licks, with whom he recorded two albums with before the dissolved in 1979. Fleck then went on to record his solo debut, "Crossing The Tracks," that same year, which became a widely respected hit . Fleck went on to join the New Grass Revival, with whom he played with until the end of the decade, with his reputation and talent growing year on year. In 1989, Fleck teamed up with Sam Bush (mandolin), Mark O'Connor (fiddle), Edgar Meyer (bass) and Jerry Douglas (Dobro) to form the group, Strength in Numbers, who recorded the Telluride Sessions.
Bringing together another group of talented musicians, he formed The Flecktones, allowing for another avenue to which Fleck could create music, releasing the their eponymous debut in 1990, followed by 1991's "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo." Together with his band, they went on to produce several albums, displaying an eclectic range of influences, from bluegrass to R&B to Afrobeat. The team continued to produce albums together for the next two decades.
Alongside his music with The Flecktones, Fleck was involved with a number of other projects, creating music with the likes of Edgar Meyer, Indian percussionist Zakir Hussain, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Abigail Washburn, releasing various recordings focussing on different themes. Fleck also travelled extensively, recording with local musicians in Tanzania, Gambia, Mali and Uganda, creating the record, "Throw Down Your Heart, Tales from the Acoustic Planet Vol. 3: Africa Sessions," in 2009 to widespread critical acclaim. Fleck's work has continued to be prolific and diverse, displaying his virtuosity on the banjo, pushing the instrument to heights it has never seen before, making Fleck one of the world's truly great musicians.
Dylan Gossett
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