Béla Fleck (b.1958,) fully Béla Anton Leó Fleck, is an American banjo virtuoso, composer, and innovator known for expanding the banjo’s possibilities across bluegrass, jazz, classical, and world music. His groundbreaking work has earned multiple Grammy Awards, making him one of the most celebrated instrumentalists of his time.
Born in New York City, Fleck was named after composers Béla Bartók, Anton Webern, and Leó Janáček. He discovered the banjo as a teenager, inspired by Earl Scruggs and The Beverly Hillbillies theme song. He studied at the High School of Music & Art in New York before launching his professional career. His collaborations span diverse artists, including Chick Corea, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain, and Abigail Washburn. His documentary Throw Down Your Heart (2008) explores the banjo’s African origins.
Fleck gained recognition with New Grass Revival in the 1980s, blending bluegrass with jazz and rock. He later formed Béla Fleck and the Flecktones (1988,) an innovative fusion group incorporating jazz, funk, and world music. His solo albums include Crossing the Tracks (1979,) Drive (1988,) and Perpetual Motion (2001,) which won a Grammy for Best Classical Crossover Album.
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