It has been more than 20 years since the Flecktones were really the Flecktones. That was when the original line up included the incredibly talented Howard Levy. Of course, the Flecktones wouldn’t be the same without Victor Wooten and his older brother, ‘Future Man’, either, so when the original four reunited for their latest tour, it just seemed like ‘Rocket Science’.
On March 12, 2012, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones had the honor of opening the new Smith Center for the Performing Arts, located near downtown Las Vegas. The Smith Center adds some much needed class, not only to downtown, but to the Vegas valley itself. And what better way to kick the tires of Reynolds Hall - one of three venues within the campus - then with four of the most talented group of musicians around?
In front of a near-capacity crowd, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones quickly jumped right into the music and did not disappoint. Every member of this incredible quartet had an opportunity to demonstrate just how talented they are. Bela Fleck, a virtuoso on the banjo, Victor Wooten, a masterful bass player, Howard Levy’s harmonica and piano playing is second to none, and ‘Future Man’ with his Drumitar is simply out of this world. There was even room for a fiddle player, a magnificent addition by the name of Casey Driessen, who came out a few times and brought down the house with his sprightly playing.
The band played for about an hour before taking a 15 minute intermission, then immediately picked up right where they left off and never turned back. With more than 12 albums to pull material from, including their latest recording featuring the return of Levy, ‘Rocket Science’, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones left you wanting more.
It's not rocket science...
If you want to see the original Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, do it by April 28, 2012, because that is when the ‘Acoustic Planet’ tour wraps up in Louisville, Kentucky.
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