Béla Fleck & The Flecktones have shared their previously unreleased holiday medley, “The First Noel / Joy to the World.” The track was rediscovered while the namesake was exploring the Jingle All the Way album archives, as the group intends to reissue their beloved holiday songs on limited edition vinyl on November 21. The initial preview and first listen come from a 2008 recording session and will be a feature of the imminent release.

“I have a habit of pulling out my banjo and playing holiday songs while waiting for flights in the airport, when traveling during the season,” says Fleck. “These arrangements appeared and developed over the course of several years of airport holiday play. They always seemed to cheer up folks, and I love the tunes.”

The Flecktones will complement their rerelease by hitting the road to celebrate the season and its subsequent songs. The run will feature an amalgamated ensemble, comprised of two classic versions of the band, including the namesake and Howard Levy (piano and harmonica), Roy “Future Man” Wooten (percussion),  Victor Wooten (bass), as well as Jeff Coffin (saxophone), with special guest, Tuvan throat singers, Alash.

On tour, the group of artists will perform selections from the Flecktones’ songbook while actively reinventing holiday classics, played for the first time by this group in 15 years. Notably, the band turned over Jingle All the Way in 2009, taking home the Grammy for  Best Pop Instrumental Album, and hitting No. 1 on the Top Contemporary Jazz chart. 

Prior to that, in 1988, Fleck formed the band for the purpose of a single performance on PBS’ Lonesome Pine Special, and soon launched a subsequent tour the following year. Commenting on his early experiences, Victor Wooten says, “The band was so fresh and powerful that we all wanted more of it. I think we gave other musicians the courage to be different.” 

Speaking to the gravity of today’s arrival, Fleck says, “Christmas music is inside everyone’s DNA. Jingle All the Way is an open doorway for listeners to understand the Flecktones’ music.”

Tap into the holiday spirit now. Tickets for the band’s tour are available now on  www.flecktones.com/#tour. 

Pre-order/save the limited edition vinyl pressing of Jingle All the Way.