Photo by Taylor Crothers
Banjo virtuoso and New Grass Revival alum, Béla Fleck, walked away from the most recent Grammy awards with his fourteenth honor. Fleck continues to pave the way with his progressive approach to the traditional bluegrass instrument especially when teaming up with long-time friend and jazz master, Chick Corea. Their most recent collaboration Two, explores everything from jazz fusion to rock'n'roll. On April 17, 2016 Fleck and Corea showcase their mutual admiration, extreme level of musicianship, and unparalled improvisational style at Ryman Auditorium. We caught up with Fleck about his tour with Corea and their unique fusion of genres.
Nashville Lifestyles (NL): Talk a bit about the experience of compiling, Two compared to your previous record with Corea (The Enchantment).
Béla Fleck (BF): Two is a live album, and in putting it together, we attempted to get across the spirit of our live concerts. It was a matter of sifting through tons of performances and picking the versions that really popped. The Enchantment happened very fast, and with very little rehearsal. Hey, perhaps Two was our rehearsal! Chick often says to the audience, 'Welcome to our rehearsal,” so maybe that's the truth of it. Anything goes, in the live setting, and on Two, it certainly went!
NL: You've stated that different nights create different 'magic” can you unpack that idea?
BF: We don't expect the folks in Toledo to get the same thing that the folks in Indy got. We can offer them our best selves. If we do what it takes to make each night unique, then we are both completely committed the the moment.
By being loose and responsive, we can play to the sound of the room, and the energy of the crowd, blended into how we are each feeling. It's very organic, and pretty much happens by itself... if you don't interfere!
NL: Some of the songs you've played with Corea draw from both jazz and bluegrass influences. How do you go about blending these two?
BF: I think it's a matter of being ourselves. Those roots run so deep in each of us, that it might be more surprising if the music did not reflect them in a big way. Luckily we both put a high premium on rhythmic interaction, and the timing of how we each play seems to match up very well. That helps everything work.
NL: Recently you won a Grammy for 'Best Folk Album' the first studio album for you and your wife (Abigail Washburn). Talk about what this meant for you both.
BF: It's a wonderful thing to win a Grammy as a family! This particular tour and album was created so that we could travel together and stay together in the early years of our son's life. He's nearly three now, and we've been able to be together much more than most musicians and their kids get to be typically. It's very sweet, and we appreciate it so much.
NL: Who are some of your favorite artists or ones currently inspiring you today?
BF: I always love hearing what Chick is doing, which is quite a lot usually. Chris Thile is another favorite, and we'll be touring together soon.
Otherwise it's a lot of classical composers these days. Bach, Brahms and Bartok are all time favorites!
NL: While in Nashville, where are some of your favorite places to catch a show?
BF: The Ryman is pretty amazing, and so is the Schermerhorn Center. These are the best halls we've got, and both can be magical for different reasons.