Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Four Minutes, Four Questions Béla Fleck
Blending Indian and Western classical music with bluegrass is like talking among friends. “When we are performing on stage, in composing mode or creating mode, we are basically having a conversation,” renowned tabla player Zakir Hussain says of his bandmates, banjo legend Béla Fleck, the great double bassist Edgar Meyer, and bansuri player Rakesh Chaurasia. “So the music emerges as we speak.”
Fleck, Hussain and Meyer originally came together for the 2009 album “Melody of Rhythm.” Fleck and Meyer were writing the music for the opening of Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center and invited Hussain to help them compose. The album was recorded with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin.
In the process of making the album and going on a promotional tour, a friendship was born from their shared love of musical improvisation and ability to reach across musical genres. Then Hussain invited Chaurasia, whose uncle is Indian flute legend Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, to sit in on a show in India. It was there that the trio became a quartet.
Just this year, the four released a new album, “As We Speak,” and will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 4 as part of the 10x10 Arts Series at the Walton Arts Center.
Fleck put down his banjo for a moment to answer some quick questions for What’s Up!
Q. What was your process for learning how to collaborate with Zakir Hussain? Did that change with Rakesh Chaurasia’s flute?
A. These guys are so easy to play with, they make everything flow. The biggest job for me is learning the notes and rhythms that are so natural to Indian musicians. When Rakesh came into things, it gave us so much more variety; now Zakir Edgar and I could function as a rhythm section to support the flute, which can be a big sound. Also the opportunities for Edgar to interact with Rakesh gave the group new sonic opportunities. Process-wise it usually starts with whoever has written the tune and is dictated by what they have presented, but everyone has ideas, and we try them all.
Q. Were there any bluegrass or other Western influences that helped you when you were learning how to blend your banjo playing style with Hussain’s tabla?
A. Edgar’s and my experience playing bluegrass, jazz and classical music is helpful, because we can bring that experience to this situation. That said, we really don’t think in terms of styles when we are making this music. It’s more about each person being themself and striving to make each piece musical and complete. Where all the influences come from doesn’t really get discussed during creation, but we all know when something is working. After the fact, we may say, “ah, this came from here, or there.”
Q What did you learn from working on “As We
Speak” that you didn’t learn from “The Melody of Rhythm?”
A. There was a comfort that comes from a longer relationship, and a willingness to be bold and to take chances improvisationally. Is that a word? Well, it is now. … When we made ‘Melody,’ this collaboration was brand new. Now — although we’ve added Rakesh — we’ve played together for a long time, and the music has naturally evolved.
Q. Did working together with this group foster friendships between the four of you? Are you planning to work together again after this tour?
A. Yes, it a very sweet time together. Our families are now close as well, and we look forward to our times together.