The Ryen Russillo Podcast Part 2: Béla Fleck on the Banjo, His Journey, and Handling Success
Aug 28, 2025
Béla Fleck, a virtuoso banjo player celebrated for his innovative fusion of jazz, bluegrass, and world music, shares his remarkable musical journey. He discusses his initial passion for the banjo and how he mastered the instrument, leading to his unique sound. Fleck reflects on the joy of live performances and the impact of playing with larger bands. He also touches on the obsession required for greatness and what it feels like to inspire fellow artists, while hinting at exciting future collaborations and his children's musical talents.
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From Secret Fan To Obsessed Pro
- Béla Fleck found a banjo at 15 after secretly loving its sound since age five and became obsessive about practicing.
- Within three years he reached a professional level and began touring in skilled groups.
City Upbringing Broke Tradition Boundaries
- Growing up in New York freed Fleck from strict regional traditions and pushed him to explore jazz and classical approaches on banjo.
- That cross-genre curiosity led him to redefine the instrument beyond bluegrass conventions.
The Jam That Started The Flecktones
- The Flecktones formed after a spontaneous jam with Victor Wooten that clicked and later added Howard Levy and a drummer, producing an explosive TV special.
- That one rehearsal convinced Fleck to leave Newgrass Revival and dive into the new band.