In a thrilling culmination of recent weeks, Béla Fleck has been at the center of a whirlwind of musical achievements and exhilarating performances. From captivating audiences across Europe and the UK with "My Bluegrass Heart" to clinching two Grammy Awards for "As We Speak" alongside Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain, and Rakesh Chaurasia, Fleck's journey has been nothing short of spectacular. Today marks another significant milestone with the release of "Rhapsody in Blue," a project paying homage to George Gershwin on the centennial of the iconic piece's premiere at Aeolian Hall in New York City.
"Rhapsody in Blue" is not just a tribute but a reimagining of Gershwin's masterpiece, offering listeners a fresh auditory experience. The album features three distinct versions: "Rhapsody in Blue(grass)" with the Grammy-winning "My Bluegrass Heart" band, "Rhapsody in Blue(s)" featuring blues legends Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and Victor Wooten, and a classical rendition with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, uniquely highlighting the banjo. Additionally, the album presents solo renditions of Gershwin's "Rialto Ripples" and the previously unrecorded "Unidentified Piece for Banjo," a treasure unearthed by Ryan Banagale at the Library of Congress.
Fleck expresses his hope that Gershwin would have appreciated this innovative approach, imagining the composer's intrigue and acknowledgment of the musicians' unique contributions to his work.
Listeners are invited to explore this groundbreaking album and can secure their copy via the official link: Rhapsody in Blue.
Praised by The New York Times for its "cheerful, harmonically savvy" adaptation, "Rhapsody in Blue(grass)" exemplifies Fleck's ability to bridge genres, melding Gershwin's romanticism with the soul of bluegrass.
Béla Fleck's 2024 tour continues to bring his diverse musical explorations to audiences worldwide, featuring performances with "My Bluegrass Heart," alongside Abigail Washburn, with symphony orchestras, and in collaboration with Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia. For a complete list of dates and to purchase tickets, please visit Béla Fleck's Tour Page.
About Béla Fleck
Béla Fleck is an iconic banjo player, known for his virtuosic skills and innovative approaches to composition. His work spans a variety of musical genres, including bluegrass, jazz, classical, and world music, earning him multiple Grammy awards and nominations. Fleck's unending pursuit of musical exploration continues to captivate and inspire audiences around the globe.
For more information on Béla Fleck and his projects, visit www.belafleck.com.
