American banjoist Béla Fleck never tires of surprising us and exploring ever-changing musical paths. After reimagining George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue (2024), and creating a trio with bassist Edgard Meyer and Indian percussionist Zakir Hussein (2023), he now joins another unlikely ensemble: the BEATrio, featuring Mexican drummer Antonio Sánchez and Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda, who has already recorded an album, Live in Montreal, with Japanese pianist Hiromi. A stunning sonic blend that both dazzles and astounds. As is often the case with Fleck’s projects, the compositions are collective, and the musicians share a deep connection, as if they’ve been playing together for years. Castañeda’s harp and Fleck’s banjo have a great time conversing and improvising, as if it were completely abnormal that we hadn’t thought of it before.
It must be said that Castañeda and Fleck have done everything they can to expand the scope of their respective instruments. While inspired by folk roots—joropó for one, bluegrass for the other—they are determined to push the banjo and Colombian harp out of their comfort zone. And they do so once again with panache.
Antonio Sánchez, who plays with Pat Metheny, among others, is a brilliant drummer and percussionist and follows the two instrumentalists with panache and complexity. BEATtrio is undeniably a jazz album, but also tinged with folklore and Latin influences. There’s a lot of virtuosity, but rarely gratuitousness. We’re dealing with three musicians who know how to combine complexity and lucidity. The joy of playing together shines through in every note. And you can feel it.
