Zakir is an absolute human metronome. Amazing chemistry between these three. I could listen to this for hours.

Zakir Sir is almost 70 and still rocking like he did in his 20s

Symphonic, Indian jazz rythim, gypsy, Irish, bluegrass, mixed with a bit of phenomenal.

This dude on the tablas is absolute fire

I've never seen someone play a double bass like this. It is incredible! All three of them play beyond theory, practice and passion. They really live music

OMG! Zakir, Edgar, Bela, and NPR just WON THE INTERNET!

I saw Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer live at a theatre in San Francisco in 2004, as part of our high school band field trip from So Cal (where we stayed over several days, rode the roller coasters at Great America theme park, played several concerts, and then I snuck away from the group at Fisherman's Wharf to spend an hour or so dropping coins in the coin pianos at Musee Mecanique hee hee hee). I'd never heard of these guys before but they were on our "to see" itinerary, so the entire band piled in the bus and then into the theatre. I remember being in the balcony, and nearly falling out of the balcony because I was so mesmerized by the absolute mastery both of these musicians have (I think Zakir Hussain either hadn't yet joined the duo, or maybe had another gig somewhere else). They played a tune, I think called "mastodon" (or "woolly mammoth"?) that was so fresh sounding, so contemporary and traditional at the same time, that I'm pretty sure it's shaped my subsequent ragtime composing and helped me nudge it in a newer direction. I also remember that probably 3/4 of the NHHS band were also stunned at this show, really dug it, and talking about these guys over and over again on the band bus, all the way back. (I suspect the 1/4 who weren't moved were those folks who joined the band "just for the social life" rather than the music ;) ) Years later, when Borders was going out of business, I used my Borders gift card to load up an armload of CDs from the music dept (while I still could), and discovered and snagged their CD "The Spirit of Rhythm" which has helped me get through at least one very long driving trip (probably another Nor Cal trip, funnily enough). Just great to hear some great, great music... and they make what they do (which is actually extremely difficult) look and sound so, so easy, effortless and a pure joy. Much love to NPR for having them on for a Tiny Desk show. Here's to many more!!!

Reminded of how a certain piece, once clearly heard, becomes a metaphysical place that is glad you have come by to visit, and wants to show you everything it has learned. Beautiful humans.

7 minutes in and they say they were "nervous". Lol. Some of the greatest musicians that ever lived... and they're "nervous". I guess that kind of care is what contributes to greatness. Bela Flec's new album "My Bluegrass heart" is an absolute masterpice by the way. Even if one is not a blue grass lover one should buy it. It's musical history!

I’m a huge long term fan of Mr Fleck he has a knack for picking superb bass players victor wooden and Edgar Meyer both play in such an unconventional unique way . Bela has a far reaching appetite for great music from Jazz to rock to blue grass to classical to African traditional music to collaborations with Chick Corea He is a bright star in our time a true great !

...............y'all were just sitting on a set from BELA FLECK for 10 years?????????????????

Edgar Meyer SLAYS THAT BASS!!!! It never dawned on me before the range of a stand up bass. He took it right off the board and I could've sworn I was listening to a violin!

Edgar's playing just really fits with Bela's in a way that can't really be described.

this was vital for mankind!

Saw this live in Europe. It was surreal. Changed the way I felt about making music. Pure and joyful! Also, those tablas hit like a truck on a massive PA.

I was very fortunate enough to see these 3 beautifully talented musicians in Asheville for Trinumeral... whoosh

Never realised how similar the banjo and the sitar sounded. Fantastic collaboration.

PANG!! Sweet Memories of a warm summer evening at a summer festival in the 90's, all sweaty, eating great snacks, letting everyone share our tarp and secret cocktail stash. Thanks for reminding me how great life can be Bela !!

Got to see them a couple of years ago. Went primarily to see Edgar really, but Zakir blew me away. The chemistry of these guys is unbelievable

I was fortunate enough to see Fleck and Meyer in concert in Ann Arbor over 20 years ago (it is 2024 now). One of the best performances I have ever witnessed, it was just something very special. I still think about it. Watching this now with Zakir Hussain is like icing on the cake.

OMG these guys take music to a whole new level, their awesomeness makes me shed tears

Man, Edgar Meyer really shows us his "O" face here i love it

Zakir is a monster!! I love so much music that these folks have done in so many different configurations over 50 years...thank you!!!

Had the privilege of watching Zakir quite a few times live and Bela twice. This trio is as magical as it can get.

This same trio was the very last live concert I got to see before the pandemic hit us. They still tour together--or they were pre-pandemic anyway. It was an incredible experience. Also, the audience was an amazing mishmash of South Asian immigrants and bluegrass fans.

I don't remember what year it was that I watched Bele Fleck and the Flecktones . I was fortunate enough to be a stage hand at the Hanford Fox Theater for Dan Humason the year he booked them , and i remember about half way through the set Mr Fleck introduced his bass player [Victor Wooten] as being the winner in an international competition of all the worlds greatest and most renowned bass players . He did a solo that was mind blowing . Mr Fleck also introduced his drummer [Roy Wooten] as "Future Man" . Roy had invented new musical instruments that were an electronic mesh of other instruments . After setting up the stage and lights I stayed on to operate a light cannon from the balcony . The whole concert gave me future shock as i had never experienced before or since .

This is one of the coolest performances I have watched in a while. Love the Tiny Desk series. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

This is just astounding. What an incredible performance!! I love that this exists!

Absolutely amazing

Wow! It's worth the wait.

Humbling to be in the presence of such virtuosity. Thank you!

Tellement parfait,bravo a tous.

true masters make it look so effortless. the bow work on the upright bass wow!!!

Just fantastic. They are so relaxed while they play this beautiful music.

This has to be the most melodious bass playing and -player I know of. And I just love that in bass playing.

Bela Fleck y Edgar Meyer, tantos años de escuchar los y siguen nutriendo la musica, plagandola de belleza....

Thank youuuu NPR Music !!!🤩 Amazing Music from Bela Fleck among the best ! 😎😍 Greetings from France 🙋‍♂

So beautiful!

Beautiful, musical and soulful!

Wow! These guys are sooooooooo good!

I was lucky enough to watch these legends live when they did a concert in my country. Was absolutely blown away by the improv progressive fusion!!

Wow amazing!!! I love it, awesome musicians, awesome Zakir 👍

I could've seen this group around this time period, this makes me wish I had!

I’m feeling the flowers in my ears 🔥 just incredible

Thanks so much for this! Never expected this trio 🙌 Bela Fleck❤️

The OG trio. I remember buying their cd when it first came out and playing it in my car non stop. Legendary

Qué maravillosa Música!

My favourite album of that year. Always regretted not having been able to see them live 😞

This is out of the world!!

That dude's hands are actually hummingbirds.

This is so freaking good. Music played at this level is as polished and professional as classical music but with a whole lot more soul. Man!

Absolutely brilliant.. thanks for bringing them together

breathtaking performance

Incredible music

I'm so glad this has finally made it to youtube!!!\

Nice, thank you!

This is phenomenal ❤

Stepped into some rhythmic galaxy ...wishing Pt. Zakir Hussain had broken into passionate bol vocalisations just for fun. Thank you for digging out this old gem NPR. This bluegrass tabla jam just brought spring to my heart..☺

Oh how beautiful☺️🐸 Brilliant!

omg..... thankyou for the video😍😍😍😍 greeting from bali island

Real music & communion. Moving.

amazing

3 master musicians in sync.

There are no words....

Wonderful

World music... from some beautiful worlds

This is awesome

I never new Banjo wood fit in so well with Indian instrument and Indian music in general. Great listening to these legends

Beautiful!👍✌️😊🙏🏼🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶

Captivating

I'm a 60+ year old former guitarist, quite successful in local bands in my day. So I mostly get what Bela and Edgar are doing - ASTONISHING musicianship, but nothing I can't picture. OTOH - Zakir is an ALIEN!

muito bom, lindo...

Fantastic! Musicianship is obviously great, but the sound productio too also blew me away, what an intimate setup.

wooohooo... awesomeness

Spitting hot fire!!!!!!

brilliant playing

Next level. Wow.

So Cool!!!!

Unusual mix!)

Hussain is insane. Was fortunate to see him at a performing arts center in 2019

Not only do they show what's possible, they've guided generations into disciplined honesty in music. Thank God for this video - for achieving such communication, this wonderful trio is largely undocumented.

Thank you NPR ;)

Excelente una maravilla

Happy Birthday Zakir Hussain and Greetings from Indonesia ❤🎂

The first song is great! The chords on the banjo sounds fun to play

"Bahar" wow that was so beautiful

OMG Zakir Hussain the Rhythmic genius nobody can be like him

Zakir is the most creative genius i found, nobody in history can bend rhythm to such extent❤❤

Respect

MASTERS

Bravo

First track goes hard!!

I love how Zakir's musical genius can effortlessly transcend genres. I had an album called Tabla Beat Science that he did with Bill Laswell and a bunch of other people that showed how amazingly well Tabla fits into dub/electronica. I went on many a journey listening to that one :)

Everest level musicianship

Bela and Zakir??!!! Match made in heaven

Zakir Hussain.. Wow

Nice....

kinda wish the bass from the low tabla had been up in the mix a little, it kinda gets lost under the bass fiddling going on... amazing set, I no longer have to wonder what a banjo and tabla combo sounds like?? Heck of a lot better than I expected :D

Zakir such an OG

That was WAY too short, guess you better buy the ticket you want the full concert. Amazing talent X3