Not many people have had the same enduring impact on modern American music as Béla Fleck has.

Considered one of the most innovative and gifted banjo players in the world, Fleck has done things with the instrument that few would think possible. With 25 studio albums under his belt, thousands of concerts around the world, and 17 Grammy Awards, Fleck has helped usher in a new era of banjo enthusiasts, bending genres along the way. From jazz, to country, bluegrass, and international styles as well, there’s no genre Fleck will shy away from on his instrument.

Fleck’s partner, Abigail Washburn, has enjoyed similar successes and accolades throughout her career. An accomplished roots and bluegrass musician, Washburn has worked to incorporate the banjo into different cultural environments and sounds, including Chinese folk music.

Together, Fleck and Washburn have released two studio albums and have played countless shows around the globe. This past Friday, April 5, Grand OnStage finally brought the duo to Kingston for their very first time, entertaining the crowd at the Kingston Grand Theatre with their impressive musicianship and light-hearted stories. (web link)

Considering the couple have been performing together for over a decade, there is an inherent comfort-level between husband and wife which is evident the second they step onto the stage.

In many ways, Fleck and Washburn’s concerts feel like living room jam sessions — the perfect environment to enjoy their music. What they lack in a flashy set design, they more than make up for through their masterful picking.

While the majority of songs performed in Kingston came from the couple’s two studio albums—2014’s self-titled release, and 2017’s Echo in the Valley—they also found time to sprinkle in some other material, including a soulful cover of the late Tim Rice’s “Pride of Man,” as well as the theme song from the duo’s beloved COVID 19-era web series, “Banjo House Lockdown.”

One of the most memorable moments from Friday’s show came when the couple brought out their two sons—Juno and Theodore—to join them on vocals for a couple of numbers. The crowd rewarded their efforts with the loudest applause of the night.

What makes Fleck and Washburn’s music so enjoyable is the way their different playing styles naturally complement each other. While Washburn prefers the more traditional clawhammer style and takes care of the vocals, Fleck is a master of the three-finger picking style, a method popularized by the late Earl Scruggs.

What audiences are left with is a dynamic fusion of sounds that showcase the full extent of the banjo as an instrument.

As a big fan of the duo, I was looking forward to this show since it was announced last spring as part of the 2023-24 Grand OnStage season, and it did not disappoint! However, I would have liked to hear more songs from the couple’s most recent album, especially given the timely nature of some of Washburn’s lyrics on that record. That being said, their performance was enjoyable, and showcased the full range of Fleck and Washburn’s musical prowess, reminding everyone in attendance why the duo are the undisputed “king and queen of the banjo.” Posted: Apr 10, 2024