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Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn in Concert
On their own, both Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn have taken the banjo far beyond where it's ever been before. But when this husband-and-wife team play together, they blow all expectations completely out of the box as far as the possibilities of the instrument. They started performing as a duo as a way of keeping it in the family after their son was born, and to avoid being separated by touring in support of solo careers. Like the albums they've made together, including their Grammy-winning, self-titled 2014 debut and the 2017 follow-up, ‘Echo in the Valley,' Fleck and Washburn's performances are entirely self-contained affairs that depend exclusively on the pair's own peerless instrumental abilities and Washburn's lovely, folk-inflected vocals. But whether they're delivering innovatively reimagined takes on traditional tunes or their own genre-bending compositions, Fleck and Washburn create a big, wide musical world together that's much more than the sum of its parts... not that those individual parts were any too shabby.
Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn Background
Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn followed different paths before they finally came together, establishing themselves as trailblazing artists in their own right long before their personal and musical union. Fleck was born and bred in New York City, and he soaked up diverse influences including bluegrass, folk, and classical music. After relocating to Boston, he began exploring his revolutionary ideas about the banjo, and he released his first solo album in 1979, wowing bluegrass and folk audiences with his envelope-pushing approach. In 1988 he began working with his band The Flecktones, expanding his approach to encompass jazz, rock, funk, and electronics. Over the course of his startlingly eclectic career, he's earned 15 Grammys in an unprecedented number of categories. Washburn grew up in Washington, D.C., and Minnesota, and played with all-female Americana group Uncle Earl. She began her solo career with 2005's 'Song of the Traveling Daughter' and quickly dominated the bluegrass album charts with her progressive style. Fleck and Washburn were married in 2009, and after the birth of their son Juno, they decided a duo career was the best way to keep the clan together. Their first record together earned them a 2016 Grammy award for Best Folk Album, and they followed it up with 'Echo in the Valley' in 2017, sparking another successful round of two-banjo touring.
Great concert by outstanding musicians. The combination of Bela’s 3- finger roll and Abby’s frailing makes for complex meeting of rhythms that they use in so many ways to great effect. Abby’s voice is a powerful instrument in English, Chinese, and even accompanied by clogging! And what treat to experience Bela’s “Rhapsody in Blue” live! A wonderful concert.
So, this was just after the end of covid in a small venue in Frankfort KY. They and their kids played and yelled… cute, family event but not even remotely what we came to see. Could have been at home, but paid for tickets to hear them. Very disappointing!. (I know theIR kids are cute, but so are mine and my friends! Some are even quite talented BUT this was the Abigail and her children show!) Ugh,,, looking back maybe not even a three star.
In person they are everything you've seen online and listened to but better. Wildly talented, humble and relatable. The music is mesmerising and haunting, it penetrates your soul and resounded in my head for days after!
Bela & Abby gave us a wonderful evening of music. Abby with her sense of humor added another dimension to the show. There is no doubt that these are 2 superb musicians and anyone who was there or has ever seen Bela in concert can see and hear why he is a multi Grammy Award winner. Can't wait for the return engagement. Thank you Ponte Vedra Concert Hall for a great venue. And again, thank you Bela & Abby for a great show.
Masters of their craft with a variety of genres at their fingertips, Bela and Abigail showed their excellent musicianship. The show itself was diverse in its implementation, from long solos by Bela, harmonizing duets, and even familial trios when young Juno sang with his parents (loved how he belted out his tunes). PVCH has good acoustics, and the seats were not uncomfortable for the time we were in them (the break came at a good time). What was going on backstage? Too many bumps and crashes in the middle of the show, but only distracting for a few seconds and back to being mesmerized by these wonderful artists.
Mask and shot mandated by entertainers no problem with shot mandate but have one with the mask mandate your serving drinks so how is that effective
They have incredible talent and are great performers. Their range is remarkable. And they're fun to watch as co-performers.
I would go see them again in a heartbeat! They related so well as a couple and with the audience. Their musicianship is unmatched! Abigail has the voice of an angel. Top notch show.
Seriously, they are such a warm, funny couple and they were so genuine about enjoying their time at the Hoyt Sherman theater, I would love for other people to have the experience we had on the night of this concert.
Great program, wonderful performance. Hope they come back and dazzle us again.
