Bela Fleck Plays Homecoming Gig in New York's Central Park

Sitting on a chair at Central Park's SummerStage with his ever-present banjo on his lap, Bela Fleck leaned into the microphone next to him and said, "Coming here on the plane from Seattle to New York ... the woman next to me asked what I do. 'I'm a musician,' I said. She asked me why I was flying to New York. 'I have a show in Central Park,' I told her. She looked at me: 'Are you Bela Fleck? We're going to your show tomorrow!'" Such is the life of the consummate journeyman musician, notably one who has traveled to Africa to find the ancient source of his chosen instrument, as seen in the documentary film 'Throw Down Your Heart.'

Over the years, the New York native has been nominated in nine Grammy categories -- arrangement, composition, bluegrass, folk, classical, jazz, pop, rock and spoken word, the most ever for any artist -- so, it makes complete sense to see Fleck sitting on stage next to virtuoso Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté, jamming on the bluegrass classic 'Dueling Banjos.' It was both surreal and familiar, generating laughs as well as long attentive silences from the audience as they watched and listened to two very intent masters weave a musical tapestry.

At its best, music is the universal language and Fleck and Diabate treated fans to a unique instrumental dialogue. Their musical discussion ranged from fun to melancholic and, in the end, it was all deeply passionate and unique. Welcome home, Bela.