Jonathon Ortiz for Westchester – It’s near impossible to hear a song these days that isn’t the love child of multiple genres merged together. Notable examples include hip hop and rock, EDM and funk, and, in the case of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, bluegrass and jazz. (Yes, we just said that.)
If you’re thinking those two genres could never work well together, The Flecktones, led by the innovative 16-time Grammy winning banjoist Béla Fleck, are celebrating their 30-year anniversary, making a stop at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre. Their concoction of jazz and bluegrass, while musically complex, grooves charismatically, held together by the rhythmic genius of the Wooten brothers: bass virtuoso Victor and the eccentric “drumitarist” Roy, a.k.a. “Future Man”. Howard Levy’s dynamic talent behind the piano and harmonica tie The Flecktones’ muso-minded sound together, reviving the original lineup that encouraged so many later musicians to step out of their comfort zone.
You’re a New York native and have performed in Westchester in the past. What’s your impression of the area? Is there any particular place or aspect that stands out to you the most?
I have great Westchester memories as I spent lots of time with my grandparents in Peekskill, got my first banjo there, and was in a band in Dobbs Ferry called Wicker’s Creek. And I’ve played all over it, especially back then — in the 70’s!
It seemed like the wild west to a Manhattan-raised teenager…
Of all your musical projects, the Flecktones stand as one of the most eclectic in sound and influence. How do you make such complex compositions so listenable, without coming across as “esoteric/obscure”?
I think it comes down to all of the guys in the group wanting to communicate. And the fact that there is such a strong rhythmic talent in the group, it makes folks want to tap their feet, even if the harmony or melodics are a little out there at times. The ‘out there’-ness seems like a draw for folks with us, while for some other groups it puts people off. Banjo and harmonica are not very threatening, I also suppose.
Find the full interview at Westchester
Find Béla Fleck and the Flecktones on TKA