Just in case you aren't familiar with Béla Fleck, many opine he's the premiere banjo player in the world. Most experts claim he reinvented the image and sound of the banjo (with no apologies to Susanna). His remarkable performing and recording career has taken him all over the musical map on a range of solo projects and collaborations. His latest stop brings him to Canton to perform two concerts with the Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO).
Already a powerfully creative force in bluegrass, jazz, pop, rock and world beat, Béla (he's regularly known by just his first name) wrote his first stand-alone banjo concerto on commission with the Nashville Symphony. This 2011 work, The Impostor, Concerto for Banjo and Orchestra, will be performed with the CSO on March 22 (8pm) at Umstattd Performing Arts Hall located at 2323 17th Street NW in Canton.Béla will also perform the evening prior (March 21, 8pm) at Kent State Stark's Main Hall Auditorium with the CSO String Quartet. This "Up Close and Personal" concert features a few solo pieces, several of his personal compositions and arrangements of some well-known pieces such as Moonlight Sonata."Some artists try to re-invent themselves. Béla has reinvented several music categories," stated Michelle Mullaly, CSO Executive Director. "He has been nominated in more different musical categories than anyone in Grammy history. That shows his range of motion and innovative music abilities."Videos