Béla Fleck & the Flecktones will be playing at the Brown Theatre this Saturday as part of their 2012 World Tour: The Original Line-Up. This year they won another Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for their song “Life in Eleven” from their album Rocket Science, released May 17, 2011. This is the first time the original group has been back together in twenty years. Joining Béla will be Howard Levy, Victor Wooten, and Futureman. Now they are all coming back to where it all began, right here in the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville, KY.
As New Grass Revival was coming to an end Béla crossed paths with Howard Levy at the Winipeg Folk Festival. Shortly after meeting Levy, a friend introduced Béla over the phone to Victor Wooten, one of the best bass guitarists in the world. In 1988 Béla was offered a solo show on the PBS Lonesome Pine Series based in Louisville. Béla enlisted Howard and Victor, but they still didn’t have a drummer. Victor’s brother, Roy Wooten, ended up being the perfect eccentric drummer/percussionist that they needed. He would later be known as FutureMan for developing his Drumitar (drum guitar). Béla, Howard, Victor, and Roy would then become Béla Fleck & the Flecktones filling the last slot on the TV show.
Their shows never disappoint. This will be my third time seeing Béla. I saw Béla Fleck with Chick Corea in February 2008 and with the Flecktones at Christmas that same year with the Alash Ensemble, Tuvan throat singers. Jingle All the Way was Oprah’s favorite Christmas CD that year.
The Original Line-Up will be in a venue near you this Saturday.
What: Béla Fleck & the Flecktones: The Original Line-Up
When: Saturday, April 28th 8:00pm
Where: Brown Theatre
Price: $25-$45
Purchase tickets online or over the phone at (502)584-7777.
Please Note: Anna Blanton is an employee of the Kentucky Center
Photo: courtesy of Béla Fleck's website
