Béla Fleck is a powerfully creative force in bluegrass, jazz, pop, rock, classical and world music. The pioneering banjo virtuoso and bandleader is best known at the helm of the groundbreaking group Béla Fleck & the Flecktones.

Often considered the premiere banjo player in the world, Béla has virtually reinvented the image and the sound of the banjo in a remarkable performing and recording career that has taken him all over the musical map, both with the Flecktones and on a range of solo projects and collaborations.

A New York City native, Béla picked up the banjo at age 15 after being awed by the
bluegrass playing of Flatt & Scruggs. He began experimenting with playing bebop on the banjo in high school. In 1982, he joined the progressive bluegrass band New Grass
Revival, where he made a name for himself in the country-bluegrass world, at the same
time beginning a series of solo albums.

Bela has won 10 Grammys, and been nominated 25 times. He holds the distinction of
being nominated in more different categories than any other musician in Grammy
history.

Béla made the connection to classical music with “Perpetual Motion,” his critically
acclaimed 2001 recording that went on to win a pair of Grammys, including Best
Classical Crossover Album.

Bela’s most recent recordings are “The Enchantment,” a collaboration with the pianist
Chick Corea, and “The Sparrow Quartet.” The Flecktones’ first Holiday record, “Jingle
All the Way,” was released in December 2008.

Béla Fleck, Artist/Producer