On Friday, September 18, audiences filled the Hodgson Concert Hall at the University of Georgia to experience the bluegrass, roots, and Americana sound of Béla Fleck. Starting at 7:30 p.m., the concert showcased Fleck along with a talented ensemble, performing selections from his vast bluegrass catalog.
Jeffrey Martin, director of the UGA Performing Arts Center, expressed his admiration for Fleck, noting, “He is a real innovator in music…his skill at arranging, writing, and performing is done at the highest level.” Fleck, a 19-time Grammy Award-winning banjo player, is recognized for blending the banjo into diverse genres, including country, pop, jazz, and classical music. Currently, he is on his “My Bluegrass Heart” Tour, featuring music from his Grammy-winning album.
Attendee Daniel Thompson, an avid banjo player, shared his enthusiasm for Fleck, saying, “I’m really just a big Béla Fleck fan.” He traveled from Augusta to attend the concert with friends and family.
Fleck was joined on stage by a talented group, including fiddler Michael Cleveland, guitarist Jake Stargel, mandolin player Dominick Leslie, dobro player Jeff Partin, and multi-instrumentalist Mark Schatz. John Deutsch, a high school senior, was particularly impressed by Cleveland’s performance, calling him “absolutely amazing.”
The UGA Performing Arts Center has increasingly focused on Americana acts, dedicating the past five years to hosting various bluegrass artists. Martin noted, “It’s a genre I enjoy…and it works really well in the concert hall setting.”
The concert featured two hour-long sets, with an intermission in between, blending instrumental pieces, singing, and even tap dancing. Attendees appreciated the collaborative spirit, with solos and jam sessions that showcased the musicians’ strengths.
In the program, Nicholas Enrico Williams, UGA’s director of bands, reflected on modern American music, stating that artists like Béla Fleck “prove the banjo belongs on any stage, any place where music is made.”
