Bela Fleck and The Flecktones Coming to CFA on Nov. 3

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present Bela Fleck and the Flecktones on Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts, UB North Campus. The concert is sponsored in part by Monaco's Violin Shop and Music Center.

Groundbreaking banjoist/composer/bandleader Bela Fleck has reconvened the original Bela Fleck and The Flecktones -- the extraordinary initial line-up of his incredible combo with pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy back in the fold alongside Fleck, bassist Victor Wooten and percussionist/drumitarist Roy "Futureman" Wooten.

"I didn't want to just get together to play the old music," says Fleck. "That's not what the Flecktones are about. Everybody's full of life and ideas and creativity. I was intrigued by what we could do that we had never done before." About the reconvened lineup, Wooten also seems refreshed -- "It felt just like it did back when we first started playing together… just with a lot less hair."

The release of their new album, Rocket Science, is the first offering from the original members in nearly two decades, but it is far from being a wistful trip back in time. All manners of genres come into play -- elements of classical, jazz, bluegrass and African music are skillfully intertwined with electric blues and even Eastern European folk dances -- and the result is an impossible to pigeonhole sound that remains utterly indescribable.

Since their formation in 1988, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones have released 14 critically-acclaimed albums and have toured relentlessly, earning them a fervent fan following around the world. For their extraordinary work, the Flecktones have won five Grammy Awards. Fleck himself holds the unique distinction of being nominated in more categories than any other musician in Grammy history.

Tickets for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are $42 and $37 general admission, $32 for students (all schools) and $38 for groups. Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call 1-800-745-3000; in Canada, call 416-870-8000. For group sales, call 716-645-6771. For more information call 716-645-2787.