Bela Fleck Throws Down His Heart In Africa

Bela Fleck with the Ateso Jazz Band of Uganda. courtesy of the artist hide caption

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courtesy of the artist

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.