The banjo might remind you more of “The Beverly
Hillbillies” theme song than eclectic rock music, but for
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, well, it speaks of both.
For the Flecktones, the banjo is an incredibly diverse
instrument that can play jazz, classical, rock, jam and bluegrass.
Saxophones are meant to be played two at a time. The percussion is
an electric instrument shaped like a guitar and played with
ones’ fingers. And the soloing bass player is often at the
forefront.
The group originally formed in 1989 when banjo virtuoso Bela
Fleck was asked to put together a band for the PBS program
“Lonesome Pine Special.” Over a decade later, the
members are still challenging the world’s perception of
bluegrass and jazz. The group performs tonight at Royce Hall.
“I’ve been to Royce Hall before. I remember the room
and I know it will be great for the Flecktones,” said
Fleck.
Fleck was concerned about Royce Hall’s permanent seating;
the Flecktones’ younger fans usually prefer to dance at the
shows. For the majority of West Coast shows, older crowds have been
coming out, which Fleck appreciates as well.
“I just like the variety of the different kinds of
audiences and what they bring,” Fleck said. “Every
night we try to trick ourselves into being spontaneous by doing the
songs in different orders or pulling up songs we haven’t done
in a while.”
Playing over 200 dates last year, the live show is still the
Flecktones’ main appeal. This most recent tour has been more
exciting for Fleck, as the band members have been playing new music
and are currently finishing up their upcoming double album.
While Fleck’s banjo is a major part of his group’s
sound, the Flecktones provides ample accompaniment. Future Man is
known for his one-of-a-kind methods of playing percussion with his
fingers on an electric guitar.
Coffin is a premier alto saxophone player who also joins in on
the tenor sax, clarinet and flute. His trademark crowd-pleasing
move is playing two saxophones at once. By his side is bassist
Victor Wooten.
Fleck, who started playing the banjo at age 15 when he first
became intrigued by the theme to “The Beverly
Hillbillies,” is the primary composer for the Flecktones.
Although he is the namesake of the group, he feels they all are
equals.
“I don’t even want to be the leader,” Fleck
said. “You know, I have a lot of musical vision and stuff,
but I don’t want to have subordinates. I want people to
challenge me and make the music better.”
In the 14 years the band members have been together, the group
has been nominated for 19 Grammy Awards in 10 different categories,
which is more categories than any other group has ever been
recognized in. Though taking home five of those Grammys has been an
honor to Fleck, he says they’re not the biggest thrill of his
career.
The Flecktones has also received recognition through
Bela’s multiple collaborations with artists such as Dave
Matthews Band and Phish.
Above all of the fans, the record sales, the collaborations and
the Grammys, Fleck still has a clear sense of what the
group’s biggest success has been over the years.
“One friend of mine told me that he thought the biggest
success of the group was simply that the group was still
together,” Fleck said. “We’ve been able to work
out everything between us in such a way that we’re all happy
to be together playing music after 14 years, and I agree with
him.”
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones performs at Royce Hall tonight at
8 p.m.