Bassist

Prolific Grammy winners Renée Fleming and Béla Fleck join forces in this celebration of Appalachian folk music, featuring a program inspired by the 250th anniversary of the United States. Through mountain songs, haunting ballads, and folk hymns, The Fiddle and the Drum mines a rich vein of American musical heritage, brought to life by Fleming’s expressive singing, Fleck’s banjo virtuosity, and his My Bluegrass Heart all-star band with Aoife O’Donovan.

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Reneé Fleming with Béla Fleck: The Fiddle and the Drum

Walt Disney Concert Hall

For the fourth year in a row, the Americana Association and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center team up to present an AMERICANAFEST special event like no other.
Prolific 5-time GRAMMY®-winning soprano Renée Fleming and 10-time GRAMMY®-winning banjo icon Béla Fleck join forces in this celebration of Appalachian folk music, inspired by the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Renée Fleming with Béla Fleck: The Fiddle and the Drum

Shermerhorn Symphony Center

Over the last four decades, Béla Fleck has made a point of boldly going where no banjo player has gone before, a musical journey that has earned him 15 Grammys in nine different fields, including Country, Pop, Jazz, Instrumental, Classical and World Music. But his roots are in bluegrass, and that’s where he returns with his first bluegrass project in 24 years, My Bluegrass Heart.

Bela Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart

Groton Hill Music Center

Join us for an unforgettable evening of bluegrass music with the Béla Fleck My Bluegrass Heart Band at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. This highly anticipated event took place on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 8:00 pm, showcasing the unparalleled talents of Béla Fleck and his ensemble of exceptional musicians.

Béla Fleck, a 15-time Grammy winner, is renowned for his virtuosic banjo playing and innovative approach to bluegrass music. "My Bluegrass Heart" marks Fleck's triumphant return to the genre, serving as the third chapter in a decades-spanning trilogy that began with 1988’s "Drive" and continued with "The Bluegrass Sessions" released eleven years later. This project is not just a nod to Fleck's roots but a homecoming in sound, celebrating the rich traditions of bluegrass music while pushing its boundaries.

The concert featured an impressive lineup of musicians, including Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz, and Bryan Sutton. Each artist brought their unique talents to the stage, contributing to a night of extraordinary music that resonated with fans of all ages.

Michael Cleveland, a standout performer of the night, is a two-time Grammy nominee and one-time Grammy winner for Best Bluegrass Album in 2020. He has also been named the IBMA Fiddler of the Year ten times and was inducted into the Fiddler Hall of Fame in 2018.

The event was a sold-out success, with ticket prices ranging from $50 for limited upper balcony seats to $75 for premium seating. Mahaiwe Members and youth attendees enjoyed special discounts, making the concert accessible to a wide audience.

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington, MA, was the perfect venue for this memorable night of music. Its intimate setting and excellent acoustics provided the ideal backdrop for Fleck's bluegrass heart to shine.

This concert was not just a performance but a celebration of bluegrass music's enduring appeal and its ability to bring people together. Béla Fleck and the My Bluegrass Heart Band delivered an evening of music that will be remembered for years to come.

Bassist

Mark Schatz

Events

Past events

Sep 22, 2026

Reneé Fleming with Béla Fleck: The Fiddle and the Drum · Los Angeles Philharmonic

Sep 15, 2026

Renée Fleming with Béla Fleck: The Fiddle and the Drum · Nashville Symphony

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