Ten Minutes With Béla Fleck
Listening to one of Béla Fleck’s dynamic and dazzling records, one is transported into a surreal and wondrous auditory netherworld. As an accomplished and admired banjo virtuoso, Fleck is best known for seamlessly integrating an extensive range of genres and influences into his musical masterworks. He is also regarded as one of the most proficient and versatile Bluegrass banjoists in the world. As Fleck gears up for the September 10 release of his album, My Bluegrass Heart, he returns to his Bluegrass roots in impeccable form. Fleck will be on stage in North Adams as the headlining act for the FreshGrass Festival, September 24-26. He will be accompanied by a band of supremely talented musicians, and it promises to be a spellbinding performance. We spoke with him about his love for bluegrass, his new album, and his past trips to the Berkshires.
What inspired you to return to Bluegrass for your latest album?
Bluegrass is central to my musical identity. It’s been way too long since I have played in that sandbox!
This is not strictly a Bluegrass album, though. What other musical and stylistic influences are present on the album, and how are they expressed throughout the record and its arrangement and instrumentation?
Everything I have done in the 20-ish years since my last Bluegrass release is reflected. From orchestral projects to duos with Chick Corea, Abigail Washburn, and Chris Thile, to collaborations with Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer, African interactions, and everything else—it all colors what I compose and how I think about music. That being said, the Bluegrass idea is very specific, and it’s important to understand the idiom.
This album is the third act in a decades-spanning trilogy of Bluegrass albums. How has the Bluegrass scene changed from the time you released your first Bluegrass album until now, and what do you see as the continued future of Bluegrass as a genre?
There are so many more great players than ever before. I feel like Bluegrass is appreciated by a wider range of people as a great American art form which is constantly evolving.
What do you believe to be the secret to making well-balanced, timeless, engaging and resonant Bluegrass music?
Don’t be too scared to mess with it! There is a lot of great music that starts on the edge and works its way back to the middle.
As someone who serves as an inspirational figure for performers of all levels around the world, what advice would you give to young and aspiring musicians about how to discover their creative voice and develop their musical understanding and skills?
Trust your sense of what you like and care about. You are the best judge. Try not to bend too much to commercial pressures. It usually doesn’t work anyway.
You’re known for being an incredibly skilled and virtuosic live performer. How does it feel to be able to get back to playing live shows, and what are you most excited about with your upcoming tour?
It’s challenging to get back up to full speed, ’cause there’s nothing that takes the place of live performance. You have to be doing it to be at your very best.
Are there any songs that you’re especially excited to perform live with your accompanying band from the new album that are exceptionally fun and fulfilling to jam on?
I love “Strider,” “Round Rock,” and “Hunters Moon.” Are you allowed to say you love your own music?
Many people have made a recent exodus from cities to the countryside and rural areas such as the Berkshires. Many are creatives who work in a wide range of mediums, including music. Oftentimes, a change in scene from a hectic urban area to a rural setting can provide a serene escape that bolsters creativity. Do you find that the time that you spend out in nature and in a countrified/pastoral setting enhances your creative process?
I think you have to find that creative space wherever you are. If I waited until I was in a quiet or pastoral setting to be creative, I would never get anything done! Remember, I have a three-year-old and an eight year-old. The work compels me, and I love it. Quiet is nice, but not critical.
Do you have any places you like to visit in the Berkshires for fun and recreation, or any standout memories from here?
I love the Berkshires, because I used to come up for summers when I was a kid. The Stockbridge area was our jam, but I love the whole region. I almost got badly hurt attempting to kayak the Housatonic! Spoiler alert: There’s a dam with a waterfall that I didn’t know about.
The FreshGrass Festival in North Adams celebrates Bluegrass and Roots music and brings many skilled acts together in a dynamic and compelling way. We’re excited to have you come perform! What are your favorite things about performing at festivals, such as FreshGrass?
Their aesthetic and mine line up very well. I love that they exist and are so supportive to the music. It’s rare and special.
—Benjamin Lerner