Béla Fleck Banjo Doc Arrives

Béla Fleck: How to Write a Banjo Concerto

Documentary Film Available Today on iTunes

BÉLA FLECK: HOW TO WRITE A BANJO CONCERTO follows the banjo trailblazer (and 15 time Grammy award winner) through one of his most challenging musical journeys, into the world of the symphony orchestra. Despite having no formal training in classical composition and orchestration, Béla Fleck is commissioned to compose a major banjo concerto, possibly the first of its kind, for banjo and 80-piece symphony orchestra. The film, directed by Sascha Paladino and Fleck, begins before Fleck has even written a note, and concludes a year later with his work’s sold-out premiere concert with the Nashville Symphony.

The feature-length documentary is available on iTunes beginning today, April 21. 

An intimate look at the process of composition and collaboration, Béla Fleck:  How to Write a Banjo Concerto features fellow banjo greats Earl Scruggs and Abigail Washburn as well as a wide range of performers, including Chick Corea, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile and Zakir Hussain. The film also digs into Fleck’s past. The father he never knew growing up named Fleck (full name Béla Anton Leos Fleck) after classical composers Béla Bartok, Antonin Dvorak and Leos Janacek. Composing his symphonic piece not only paves new creative pathways for Fleck, it becomes a cathartic experience, forcing him to confront deep-seated personal issues.

“[Béla] emerges as a touchingly insecure, self-deprecating figure” and the film “should prove inspirational to struggling musicians of all stripes” (Hollywood Reporter).

Béla was recently profiled on CBS Sunday Morning with his wife, Abigail Washburn.  The duo will be on tour through the summer, including most major festivals.

Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn tour dates

April 23 – Wilkesboro, NC  Merlefest

April 24 – Louisville, NY  KCD Theater

April 25 – New Harmony, IN  Under the Beams

April 26 – New Orleans, LA  Jazz Fest

May 3 – Memphis, TN  Beale Street Music Festival

June 11 – Tucson, AZ  Fox Theater

June 12 – Ontario, CA  Huck Finn Jubilee

June 14 – Manchester, TN  Bonnaroo

June 18, 19 – Telluride, CO  Telluride Bluegrass Festival

June 21 – Croton-on-Hudson, NY  Clearwater Festival

June 25 – Muncie, IN  Minnetrista

June 26 – Cleveland, OH  Cain Park

June 27 – Cincinnati, OH   Taft Theatre (w/ Punch Brothers)

July 10 – Chautauqua, NY  Chautauqua Ampitheater (w/ Punch Brothers)

July 11 – Somerset, KY  Master Musicians Festival

July 14 – Roanoke, VA  Elmwood Park (w/ Punch Brothers)

July 15 – Vienna, VA  Wolf Trap (w/ Punch Brothers)

July 17 – Oak Hill, NY  Grey Fox

July 22 – Portsmouth, NH  Prescott Park

July 23,24 – Rockport, MA  Shalin Liu

Aug 8 – Alta, WY  Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival