Bela Fleck | Artist

Béla Anton Leoš Fleck is an American banjo player born 1958 in New York City. An innovative and technically proficient banjo player, he is best known for his work with the bands New Grass Revival, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, and collaborations with various world music artists. At age of 15, he received his first banjo from his grandfather and learnt how to play from the book How to Play the Five String Banjo by Pete Seeger. He attended the High School of Music & Art in NYC, playing French horn until he flunked and was transferred to the choir, though he spent most of his time on the banjo. After a period busking on the streets of Boston, Fleck formed the band Spectrum in 1981 along with guitarist Glen Lawson and mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau. Fleck also performed with New Grass Revival for nine years. A prolific recording artist, to-date Fleck has released 23 studio albums, including collaborations with artists such as Chick Corea, Zakir Hussain, Toumani Diabaté, Abigail Washburn, and The Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Standout albums include Drive (1988), Tales From The Acoustic Planet (1995), The Bluegrass Sessions: Tales From the Acoustic Planet Volume 2 (1999), and Throw Down Your Heart: Tales From the Acoustic Planet Vol. 3 - Africa Sessions (2009). Speaking of his earliest influences, Fleck admits he was drawn to the banjo at a young age when he heard Earl Scruggs play the theme song for the television show 'The Beverly Hillbillies'.

Artist Website: belafleck.com

Featured Albums: Bela Fleck

Related Artists: The Flecktones