You never know what you’ll find at the Library! In this case, it was an unidentified piece written by George Gershwin for the banjo. And @belafleckbanjo was kind enough to play it for us! Enjoy. 🎵❤️
This is “B Tune” from (as of today) the GRAMMY nominated album As We Speak! We have a few more shows this month together, come celebrate with us. 11.11: Tucson, AZ 11.12: Mesa, AZ 11.14: Carmel By The Sea, CA 11.15: Santa Barbara, CA 11.17: Aliso Viejo, CA 11.18: Los Angeles, CA 11.19: San Francisco, CA 11.20: Eugene, OR 11.21: Portland, OR
That Earl Scruggs sure turned everything upside down – for a bunch of us! He figured out how to grow the budding three finger idea into an elegant, beautiful and exciting new language. And something about hearing his amazing musicality and sound for the first time had the power to instantly convert one to a lifelong banjo person. My life path turned hard the very moment I first heard him play. I’m so thankful that he found his way to the banjo. Life is better upside down! 📸: @abigailwashburn
Crushing the shoe game…..Post show hangs in Dad’s dressing room at the @beacontheatre with @sierradawnhull & @belafleckbanjo talking sneakers & tour life Photo by wifey
I first became aware of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue as a youngster growing up in New York City. My Uncle Steve loved to take me and my big brother, Louie, to see old movies at the Thalia on West 95th Street, just a few steps off of Broadway. One day, Uncle Steve took us to see the film Rhapsody in Blue. It had a huge impact on me and I became a fan of Gershwin and his composition from then on. I had never heard anything like it – it was love at first listen. My newest album expands and explores Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue by paying tribute to the legendary composer while redefining an American classic—just in time for its centennial. Available February 12, a hundred years to the day Gershwin premiered the work at Aeolian Hall in New York City, my Rhapsody in Blue album includes three variations: “Rhapsody in Blue(grass)” performed by My Bluegrass Heart (@sierradawnhull, @michaelclevelandfiddle, @bryansuttond28, @markschatzmusic, @justinmosesmusic); “Rhapsody in Blue(s)” with @sambushband, @jerrydouglas, @victorwooten; and the classic orchestration, but with banjo featured instead of piano, performed by the @vasymphony and conducted by @ejacobsenmusic. The set also features Gershwin’s “Rialto Ripples” and “Unidentified Piece for Banjo,” an unrecorded and unreleased gem discovered at the Library of Congress. Album art by the incomparable @styleproof Listen to the first single now, and pre-order your copy at the link in bio.
Celebrating As We Speak’s 3 GRAMMY® nominations, here’s a live video of “Beast In The Garden” from Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Rakesh Chaurasia and myself. We’re nominated for: • Best Contemporary Instrumental Album • Best Instrumental Composition for “Motion” • Best Global Music Performance for “Pashto” Good luck to all the nominees!
My Bluegrass Heart will be at @merlefest on Saturday, April 27th. The lineup for the festival is stacked with some of my favorites!
Today I’m releasing a new single and it’s quite different from the original! Featuring My Bluegrass Heart band @michaelclevelandfiddle, @sierradawnhull, @justinmosesmusic, @markschatzmusic, @bryansuttond28, “Rhapsody in Blue(grass)” is out just in time to celebrate the 100th birthday of the great Earl Scruggs. One day while surrounded by this band of geniuses a thought occurred to me – “Rhapsody in Blue(grass)”?! I kept the thought to myself, realizing it was either the greatest idea or possibly the very worst I had ever thought of. Hope you think it’s surprisingly not horrible, too – maybe even enough to pre-order the album Rhapsody in Blue, out February 12!
I’m excited to announce I’ll be returning to Carnegie on May 4, 2024 for a very special performance — Rhythm, Raga & Rhapsody, an incredible lineup of talent and diverse music which will include my New York premiere of “Rhapsody in Blue” performed with orchestra, conducted by Eric Jacobsen. The multi-artist night will also feature My Bluegrass Heart (@michaelclevelandfiddle, @sierradawnhull, @justinmosesmusic, @markschatzmusic & @bryansuttond28), tabla master @zakirhq9, pianist @brucehornsby, and woodwind player @anatcohenmusic. Can’t wait! Tickets go on sale December 14, with presale beginning December 12. Presale opens December 12 at 11a EST Get first access with presale code: BANJO
That’s a lot of banjo, thank you.
This is “Owl’s Misfortune” from the GRAMMY nominated album As We Speak! Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, @zakirhq9 and @chaurasia_rakesh 🎥: @noirprismstudios
I’m bringing My Bluegrass Heart to Europe and UK in 2024 ❤️ 🎟️: belafleck.com Poster by @nickvanberkum
It’s that time of year again…@AbigailWashburn and I are sending Holiday Cards! Sign up now through Friday, December 1 at 11:59p EST to receive a card, from our family to yours. 🪕 link in stories 🪕 Want to send us a card? We love them!! Mail to: Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn P. O. Box 59055 Nashville, TN 37205
Our tour starts tonight in Indiana. Hope to see you at a show!
As We Speak has 3 GRAMMY nominations! • Best Contemporary Instrumental Album • Best Instrumental Composition for “Motion” • Best Global Music Performance for “Pashto” Congrats to Béla, @zakirhq9, Edgar and @chaurasia_rakesh! #grammys @recordingacademy
When I’m on tour I travel with my Clear Mg Pro headphones – I can work on music wherever I am, trust the accurate sound – and love the listening experience. Thanks @focalnaimamerica @focal.professional
Well this is unexpected, but we’ll take it! As We Speak is #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass albums chart this week – and last! Banjo, tabla, bass and bansuri knows no bounds… @zakirhq9 Edgar Meyer @chaurasia_rakesh
It’s our day off after five nights of shows together. Playing together is really something special. Colorado, Arizona, California and Oregon – see you soon!
On January 6th, we’re celebrating Earl Scruggs 100th birthday at the Ryman in Nashville, TN! Join us in celebrating one of the most important trailblazers in bluegrass history. Proceeds will be benefiting The Earl Scruggs Foundation and more artists will be announced soon. Tickets go on-sale this Friday at 10am CT.
The @mountainstage episode with My Bluegrass Heart starts airing today! Check your local NPR station for airtimes! 📸: Christopher Morris/Mountain Stage
🪕 Embark on your musical journey at Blue Ridge Banjo Camp! 🪕✨ Applications open January 1st, and here’s why you should make becoming a better banjoist your New Year’s resolution: 1️⃣ Unleash Your Musical Potential: 🚀 Make 2024 the year you take your banjo skills to new heights. Blue Ridge Banjo Camp is your pathway to unlocking the secret techniques of some fabulous banjo players. 2️⃣ Learn from the Best: 🌟 This year’s instructors, Tony Trischka, Kristin Scott Benson, Adam Larrabee, Greg Liszt, Mark Schatz and Béla Fleck, will guide you through immersive workshops, sharing insights and techniques that will set you on a pathway to banjo growth. 3️⃣ Build Lifelong Connections: 🤝 Connect with fellow musicians who share your passion for the banjo. Forge friendships and collaborations that will last a lifetime. Your banjo community is waiting for you! 4️⃣ Fuel Your Creativity: 🌈 Break free from musical boundaries and let your creativity soar. Blue Ridge Banjo Camp is the perfect environment to explore new sounds, genres, and styles that will give you tools to redefine your musical identity. 5️⃣ Create Unforgettable Memories: 🌌 Make 2024 the year you look back on with a smile. The memories, the music, and the moments shared at Blue Ridge Banjo Camp will be cherished forever. To apply on January 1st go to blueridgebanjocamp.com
If you can’t make it to Nashville for the Earl Scruggs 100th Birthday Show on Jan 6, we do have some good news for you. This show is now going to be livestreamed on VEEPS. This will be a one-time only live broadcast. Come celebrate Earl with me and many other bluegrass greats, and sign up for livestream access at @veeps. Proceeds benefit The Earl Scruggs Center
Michigan! The ticket pre-sale for My Bluegrass Heart at @royaloakmusic is live now! Use password BOWS.
Blue Ridge Banjo Camp is back August 13-17, 2024! Banjo nerds will descend on Brevard, NC at the Brevard Music Center. Find your community and learn from great instructors including: • @tonytrischka • @kristinscottbenson • @adam_larrabeast • @10xgreg • @markschatzmusic • Me! Applications open January 1st and close March 1st. More information on the camp and the application process: @blueridgebanjocamp 🪕🪕🪕
