Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, and Antonio Sánchez
The 2025 Saratoga Book Festival opens with a thrilling fusion of sound and story as Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, and Antonio Sánchez take the stage in the Great Hall. This remarkable ensemble features three of the most inventive and celebrated musicians of their generation: nineteen-time Grammy-winning banjoist Fleck, jazz harp trailblazer Castañeda, and visionary drummer Sánchez. Together, they create a genre-bending tapestry of music that is as virtuosic as it is unexpected — a bold blend of jazz, classical, Latin, and world rhythms that defies categorization.
About the Trio
Béla Fleck has redefined the banjo across an extraordinary career, collaborating with artists ranging from Chick Corea to the Brooklyn Rider String Quartet. His work spans bluegrass, classical concertos, and beyond, with a discography that includes “Rhapsody in Blue,” “My Bluegrass Heart,” and the Grammy-winning “Remembrance.” His fearless curiosity and boundary-pushing technique have made him a singular figure in contemporary music.
Hailing from Bogotá, Colombia, Edmar Castañeda has transformed the harp into a lead voice in modern jazz. Known for his breathtaking technique and emotionally resonant compositions, Castañeda has collaborated with Wynton Marsalis, John Scofield, and Paco De Lucía, among others. NPR praises his ability to “juggle lead, rhythm and bass lines” with astonishing command and groove.
Antonio Sánchez, originally from Mexico City, is a powerhouse of rhythmic innovation. Best known for his work with Pat Metheny and his Golden Globe-nominated score for the Oscar-winning film Birdman, Sánchez combines jazz mastery with a deep social consciousness. His latest album, SHIFT (Bad Hombre Vol. II), features collaborations with Dave Matthews, Trent Reznor, and Meshell Ndegeocello, cementing his status as one of the most dynamic drummers and composers in the world.
The trio’s set includes collaboratively written original music that takes audiences on a vibrant journey filled with lyrical melodies, complex harmonies, and electrifying grooves. Their collective artistry and global sensibilities make this concert the perfect kickoff to a weekend celebrating creativity in all its forms.
The Saratoga Book Festival, now in its fifth year, runs October 2–5 in venues throughout downtown Saratoga Springs. Presented by the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library, this community-wide literary event features 30 headline events, author talks, readings, youth programs, performances, Local Author Showcase, Night Market, and KidZone. Most events are free and open to the public.