Watch Béla Fleck & Late Show Band Play Flecktones Classic For ‘Colbert’

Renowned banjoist Béla Fleck joined The Late Show With Stephen Colbert house band led by Louis Cato late last month. Fleck and the house band’s performance of the Béla Fleck and the Flecktones favorite “Big Country” has been shared as the latest “The Late Show’s Commercial Breakdown” video and can be viewed below.

“Big Country” was originally released by The Flecktones on their 1998 studio album, Left Of Cool. The Fleck-penned instrumental has been a staple of the group’s live performances since 1997. Béla Fleck also performs “Big Country” in his myriad projects including his latest all-star band My Bluegrass Heart.

The Late Show Band and Fleck performed “Big Country” and fellow Flecktones classic “Stomping Grounds” as well as “Unidentified Piece For Banjo” and “Rhapsody In Blue” off the banjoist’s recently released George Gershwin tribute album during commercial breaks on April 30 at the taping of the evening’s Colbert episode.

The television audience only saw small portions of the tunes played, while those attending the taping at New York City’s Ed Sullivan Theater witnessed each song in its entirety. Now, the rest of the world can watch the “Big Country” Béla Fleck and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert house band laid down.

Béla Fleck handled the main melodies at the start of “Big Country.” Then, house band members saxophonist Louis Fouché, trumpeter Jon Lampley and keyboardist Corey Bernhard each had chances to shine. However, Endea Owens stole the show with her upright bass solo.

See Béla Fleck performing “Big Country” with The Late Show With Stephen Colbert house band below: