2009's "The Melody of Rhythm" was a groundbreaking collaboration between banjo legend Béla Fleck, tabla master Zakir Hussain and double bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer. The album, recorded with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin, showcased the trio's immense musical talents and the wide range of musical influences they drew upon.

Fleck, Meyer, and Hussain hailed from different musical backgrounds — bluegrass, Indian classical and Western classical respectively — but they shared a passion for improvisation and a willingness to explore new musical territory. This was evident in the album's compositions, which seamlessly blended the cerebral complexity of Indian rhythm with the gut-level groove of a funky bass line.

The addition of Rakesh Chaurasia, a bansuri player from India, further enriched the group's sound. Chaurasia's playing added a lyrical and melodic element to the trio's music, and his presence helped to create a more organic and cohesive sound.

"As We Speak," the group's follow-up album, showcased their continued growth and development as a collaborative unit. The album featured a dozen tracks that effortlessly traversed a wide range of musical styles, from the cerebral complexity of Indian rhythm to the gut-level groove of a funky bass line.

The Bardavon and UPAC will be hosting a special performance by Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain, and Rakesh Chaurasia on Friday, June 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $44, $49, and $74, with a $5 discount for Bardavon members. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling the Bardavon box office at 845-473-5288 or the UPAC box office at 845-339-6088. They go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. for Bardavon members and Friday at 10 a.m. for the general public.