With his banjo in hand, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones come to The Ford on Monday, Aug. 25. Whether or not you’re familiar with their music or bluegrass, there’s no denying the band’s influence and ability to use the genre as a vehicle for bringing in sounds from across the world. Considering bluegrass’ origins, it’s a faithful upholding of a genre born here in the United States, brought about by the intersection of multiple cultures.

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Fleck and the history of bluegrass

It’s impossible to tell the story of American music and, by extension, the United States, without touching on bluegrass. Emerging from Appalachia, the genre combines elements of blues, jazz, Irish folk, and country, just to name a few. Bluegrass has always been the combination of cultures since its inception, paralleling how diasporas in the US have intersected over the course of the 20th century.

Fleck and the Flecktones similarly bring into consideration the origins of the many genres they pull together. At the same time, the band, which consists of Howard Levy (harmonica/keys), Victor Wooten (bass), and Roy “Future Man” Wooten (percussion/drums), maintains its voice as a collective across their 35+ year career. But it’s the eclectic and influential nature of bluegrass and jazz fusion that makes their music special.

Keeping the banjo alive

While the banjo as an instrument saw its heyday in the 20th century when artists like Pete Seeger were leading the charge of folk and bluegrass music, Fleck proves the instrument isn’t going away anytime soon. Since he was a boy, Fleck’s life was tied to the banjo, with the theme song to “The Beverly Hillbillies” being his first time hearing it in action. Later on, he would pick up the banjo and eventually get involved in bluegrass circles within New York City.

That sort of backstory and personal history with the banjo would inform his efforts to remain true to the instrument and its relevant genres, earning him a spot in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and naming one of his bands the New Grass Revival. And with his band, the Flecktones, they respectfully merge said genres, ranging from African music to Eastern European folk.

Culmination of a career

Given the years of music and accolades Fleck and the Flecktones have built up, their show at The Ford comes at a time when they’ve accomplished more than what most artists can claim in an entire career. Fleck himself has won 17 Grammys since he started his solo career in 1976. Prior to that, he had already gained respect as a member of New Grass Revival, with their brand of progressive bluegrass furthering the genre by breaking out of tradition.

The Flecktones have similarly pushed the boundaries of what’s expected out of bluegrass, purposefully combining it with jazz to challenge people’s preconceived notions on classification. That, combined with the fact that they’re still playing gigs after lineup changes and new stylistic directions, goes to show why they are more than worthy of taking to a stage like The Ford.

Tips on getting to The Ford

Depending on where you’re coming from, getting to The Ford may be a bit tricky based on the distance and when you leave. Furthermore, the concert falls on a Monday, which calls for proper planning against LA traffic. However, there are a few tips we suggest to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

The show starts at 8:00 PM, but getting there sometime between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM, around when gates open, gives you ample time to settle in and avoid rushing. Of course, with The Ford being in the Hollywood Hills, parking can get hectic.

Fortunately, there are a couple of travel options outside of driving in your own car. As outlined by The Ford, there are on-site and off-site parking spots, as well as free shuttles. For a full list, you can check out every option on their page.

Additionally, outside food and drinks are allowed, which gives you the opportunity to streamline the evening to your liking, so long as they follow the venue’s rules. Whether you plan on drinking or eating dinner during the concert, it’s a good idea to get everything beforehand unless you have a preference for The Ford’s tasty concessions.

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If you’re on the lookout for other shows happening at The Ford, be sure to check out their schedule for the rest of the year. At the end of August, see Betty Who light up The Ford with the LA Phil on Aug. 30. In September, you can catch Sofiane Pamart and his classically trained piano with a hip hop twist (Sept. 9), or sister duo Aly & AJ on Sept. 19 and 20. A lot more to be seen and heard at The Ford. See who’s on their show calendar!