Project Americana: Bela Fleck Residency

Project Americana is the first of four projects that will anchor Symphony Space’s upcoming 2016–2017 Season.

In this election year, PROJECT AMERICANA sets out to explore our country’s shared history and culture through music, literature, film, science, and thought as envisioned by Symphony Space’s Artistic Director, Andrew Byrne. The Project includes concerts, films, readings, and talks that will culminate with a special multidisciplinary presentation (The American Slave Coast).

At the center of Project Americana is a residency by banjo virtuoso, Béla Fleck.Béla has 30 Grammy Award nominations?—?of which he’s won 15?—?and, believe it or not, also just happened to grow up in our neighborhood on the Upper West Side. Having given an inspired performance here with his wife Abigail Washburn two years ago, Béla agreed to curate a four-concert series for us called Acoustic Planet Tales™ as part of Project Americana.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
BÉLA FLECK & VICTOR WOOTEN
FRI, OCTOBER 14 | 8PM
With 20 Grammy Awards between them, this banjo and bass combination has been heard world-wide as part of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. In this special concert, these two mind-blowing musicians explore the sounds of “blu-bop” and modern American roots music like never before.

SIERRA HULL
SAT, OCTOBER 15 | 7:30PM
Ever since she made her Grand Ole Opry debut at age 11, Sierra Hull has been breaking boundaries. This mandolin player and vocalist now has two acclaimed albums on Rounder Records and a vibrant style that makes her a perfect ambassador for modern roots music.

ABIGAIL WASHBURN & WU FEI
MON, OCTOBER 17 | 7:30PM
Crossing cultures effortlessly, Abigail Washburn and Wu Fei perform songs rooted in traditional Appalachian and Chinese music. The guzheng, a Chinese zither, melds with the American folk tones of the banjo, creating an entirely unique sound

BANJO ROUNDTABLE
FEATURING: BÉLA FLECK, WITH SEAMUS EGAN, TONY TRISCHKA, DON VAPPIE & ABIGAIL WASHBURN
SUN, OCTOBER 23 | 8PM
Ambassadors of Irish, Old Time, New Orleans, Creole, bluegrass, New Grass, and jazz styles meet to celebrate their shared love of the banjo.