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.

Avsnitt(368)

Drew Holcomb (Live from NYC's Cherry Lane Theatre)

Drew Holcomb (Live from NYC's Cherry Lane Theatre)

In July, Malcolm Gladwell taped a live episode of Broken Record at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City. It was a wonderful night of conversation and music. Drew Holcomb—a Memphis native who has s...

25 Nov 20251h 18min

S.G. Goodman

S.G. Goodman

When S.G. Goodman released her debut album, Old Time Feeling, in 2020, critics hailed it as a stunning introduction to a bold new voice in Americana. Co-produced with Jim James of My Morning Jacket, t...

18 Nov 202547min

Heavyweight Presents: The Messenger

Heavyweight Presents: The Messenger

We’re excited to share an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, Heavyweight, a new addition to the Pushkin slate of shows. Heavyweight, hosted by Jonathan Goldstein, creates space for difficult c...

11 Nov 202538min

Joe Boyd

Joe Boyd

Joe Boyd has spent more than six decades as a producer, label executive, and writer whose influence extends far beyond the studio. From producing Nick Drake's luminous folk albums to working with Fair...

4 Nov 20251h

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

Populärt inom Nöje

mellan-himmel-och-jord-med-jlc
badfluence
mardromsgasten
filip-fredrik-svarar
nemo-moter-en-van
fordomspodden
schulman-show
skalla-dagen-med-mia-skaringer
schlagerkoll-special
rss-p3-musikdokumentar
dialogiskt
podme-bio-4
chilla-med-de-vet-du
fem-i-topp
hollywood-love-stories-3
gott-snack-med-fredrik-soderholm
hemma-hos-strage
hundaren-motgangspodden-av-tomas-andersson-wij
skandal
mannen-utan-spar