Details

‘The king and queen of the banjo.’ Paste Magazine

Sixteen-time Grammy Award-winner Béla Fleck has the virtuosic, jazz-to-classical ingenuity of an iconic instrumentalist and composer with bluegrass roots. He has taken the banjo across multiple genres with a staggeringly broad array of musical experiments. Singer-songwriter Abigail Washburn has the earthy sophistication of a postmodern, old-time singer-songwriter. She re-radicalised the clawhammer banjo by combining it with far east culture and sounds.

About the concert

Their performance in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall presents songs from their Grammy-winning self-titled debut, alongside works from Echo in the Valley. The pair balance tradition with innovation, using the banjo to showcase America’s rich heritage, all the while pulling it from its most familiar arena into new and unique realms. Béla and Abigail meet head-on to present music that feels pioneering and familiar at the same time.

Whether at home, on stage or on record, their deep bond combined with the way their distinct musical personalities and banjo styles interact, makes theirs a picking partnership unlike any other on the planet.

Pre-Show Entertainment

From 6pm-9pm, grab a drink and enjoy sounds from Jamie Bennett on the Centre’s Outdoor Forecourt.

COVID Safety

Melbourne Recital Centre is committed to the safety of our artists, staff and patrons. A range of public health, hygiene and physical distancing measures are currently in place. Click here to learn more.

ARTISTS

Béla Fleck banjo
Abigail Washburn clawhammer banjo, voice