Much “new” music is formed when hitherto unrelated styles are mashed together to form a hybrid that resonates with the public. A perfect example of this type of innovation comes in the form of Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, one of the most creative and groundbreaking jazz groups to emerge over the past twenty years — if you can even call what they do jazz. Fusing traditional bluegrass with harmonic and technical sophistication, along with the expanded sonic palette that electronics can provide, the band’s wholly original sound makes them one of the few groups playing improvisational, instrumental music that can draw an audience of thousands almost anywhere in the world.
“It’s good to remember that this band is an art project and a crazy dream that came true, and that by some fluke has connected with a larger audience,” said banjoist and group founder Béla Fleck during a recent interview with DCist. “Having built our reputations together, we all have some pride in what we have been able to accomplish as a group.”
Howard Levy, who left the group in 1992 and doubles on piano and harmonica, rejoined the quartet for a tour in 2010 after longtime member Jeff Coffin assumed the late Leroi Moore‘s saxophone chair in the Dave Matthews Band. While the band’s melodic voice has changed, the core of the group remains the same. Fleck, bassist Victor Wooten and his brother, Roy “Futureman” Wooten are all pioneers of their respective instruments. Futureman in particular, plays the drumitar, an electronic percussion module that he himself invented.
“We really are just a bunch of nerd mutants playing some very wacky music,” Fleck joked. “Now why that turns people on is something I may never understand, but I am very thankful for.”
The reunited Flecktones released an album, Rocket Science, in May of this year, and will perform in support of it on Sunday at Wolf Trap. Recorded over three weeks in Fleck’s basement, it returns to the melodically driven sound that defined the four-time Grammy winning band’s initial work with Levy. While the music is still technically demanding, gone are the guest musicians that peppered the last several Flecktones albums, as well as the more avant-garde explorations. The compositions are very clean and have a subdued intensity about them.
The band has dates booked through April 2012, but what happens after that remains an open question.
“My hope is for the Flecktones structure to remain fluid enough to accommodate everyone’s individual desires and ambitions, and still be there to come back to periodically,” Fleck explained. “Whether Howard will be in it at that point is also up in the air.”
The Flecktones have a long history with this area, having played some of their earliest headlining gigs at the Birchmere and being regulars at Wolf Trap. Joining the band on Sunday will be special guest fiddler Casey Driessen, as well as opening acts Abigail Washburn & the Village and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The band has organized several of these three act tours in the past, dubbing them Acoustic Planet. The Flecktones select the openers, creating a mini-festival, but with no transition time between bands because the gear for all the groups will be onstage throughout the show. The audience can expect a lot of cross-pollinating between acts and a grand finale featuring all of the night’s musicians.
“These gigs have been pretty epic, and we are sure looking forward to this one,” said Fleck.
“Gravity Lane”, the opening track from Rocket Science:
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones will perform at Wolf Trap on Sunday, July 10, 2011 with the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Abigail Washburn & The Village opening. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show are $25-$40 + fees.
