Today we are featuring a conversation with the world’s preeminent banjo player, Béla Fleck. Over the course of his four-decade career, Béla has won numerous Grammys in a variety of surprising genres including Jazz, Latin, Pop, and Classical. Last year, his latest release, My Bluegrass Heart, scored the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.

In addition to Béla’s innovative style and expert technique, he is also an advocate for keeping the banjo’s rich historical tradition alive. In 2008, Béla made a pilgrimage to Africa to trace the origins of the banjo in the documentary Throw Down Your Heart.

On today’s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Béla Fleck about growing up in New York City where he first fell in love with the banjo while watching the Beverly Hillbillies. Béla also talks about how jazz giants like Chick Corea and Charlie Parker influenced his highly technical style. And, Béla explains why he believes the banjo is far superior to the guitar.

Listen a playlist of some of our favorite Béla Fleck songs HERE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(380)

Jensen McRae

Jensen McRae

Jensen McRae writes songs that cut straight to the bone—intimate, unflinching examinations of identity, relationships, and the complexities of coming of age in today's world. Since releasing her debut...

28 Okt 20251h 13min

David Gilmour

David Gilmour

David Gilmour is one of the most influential guitarists in rock history. Since joining Pink Floyd in 1967, his songwriting, vocals, and distinctive guitar tone have helped shape classic albums like Th...

23 Okt 202544min

The 500 Presents: Jeff Daniels

The 500 Presents: Jeff Daniels

We're sharing an episode from another podcast we think you'll enjoy, The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers. Adam counts down Rolling Stone's 500 greatest albums of all time with musicians, comedians, and acto...

21 Okt 20252h 1min

John Oates

John Oates

John Oates—one half of Hall & Oates, one of the best-selling duos in pop history—is going back to his roots with his new self-titled solo album. Before forming Hall & Oates, John was steeped in folk a...

14 Okt 20251h 2min

Chino Moreno

Chino Moreno

Chino Moreno is the lead singer of Deftones, the Sacramento band experiencing a resurgence as a new generation discovers their ’90s hits on social media. This year, Deftones have been selling out aren...

7 Okt 202551min

Miguel

Miguel

Miguel, the Grammy-winning alt-R&B pioneer is back with a new album, Caos—his first full-length in eight years. It’s the latest step in a career that’s always pushed the boundaries of R&B, from his 20...

30 Sep 202549min

Sublime

Sublime

30 years ago, Sublime released the album that defined Southern California’s music scene for a generation. Now the band is preparing to put out their fourth full-length, and for the first time, Bradley...

23 Sep 202559min

The Favors (Finneas & Ashe)

The Favors (Finneas & Ashe)

Word first broke about the band The Favors back in February, when cryptic posts revealed that Billie Eilish’s producer and brother, Finneas, was making new music with singer Ashe. Soon after, both art...

16 Sep 20251h 15min

Populært innen Underholdning

papaya
harm-og-hegseth
enkel-servering
storefri-med-mikkel-og-herman
tore-og-haralds-podkast
tusvik-tnne
big-5-med-nils-og-harald-2
topp-3-med-wold-og-fladseth
konspirasjonspodden
hovla
ma-pa-behandling-med-morten-ramm
folk-flest-med-linn-og-nils
kjendiscrush-med-sofie-karlstad
nare-venner
vitnemal
gi-meg-alle-detaljene
feedback-med-egon-holstad
rss-gammal-maiden
christine-dancke
singel