Bela Fleck Throws Down His Heart In Africa

Bela Fleck with the Ateso Jazz Band of Uganda.
Set List
- "Buribala"
- "Matitu"
Few musicians have had the kind of impact that Bela Fleck has had on the banjo. For more than 30 years, Fleck has put his stamp on the instrument, combining it with elements of jazz, rock and world music.
When he and his longtime band The Flecktones took a one-year break, Fleck jumped on the opportunity to pursue a project that had lingered in his subconscious for some time. Throw Down Your Heart captures his travels to explore the banjo's roots, following him across Africa as he collaborates with local artists along the way. In an interview with host David Dye, Fleck discusses the documentary and its accompanying soundtrack.
This segment originally ran June 4, 2009.
Related NPR Stories
More World Cafe

World Cafe
Mumford And Sons: London Folk Goes Global
The London folk-pop band just released Sigh No More to an enthusiastic reaction in the U.S.

World Cafe
RJD2: A 'Colossal' Return To Form
His new album finds him integrating his tastes, while preserving what made him an underground star.


Comments
Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.
NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.