Susan - Bela's first notoriety was with the "newgrass" group "Newgrass Revival". It is closer to bluegrass than what he does now, but even then he was pushing the barriers of tradition. He has a new CD out of traditional bluegrass (bluegrass people use the word 'tradition' in a different way than folk people). There is also an older release called "Dreadful Snakes" (name of the band).

One of his earliest teachers was Tony Trishka, another banjo player noted for experimentation and seeking the boundaries of the instrument. There is an album on Rounder which is Tony and Bela and no other accompaniment. I have found it difficult listening, but with a lot of rewarding moments.

Another innovative banjoist is Allison Brown. If you like Bela's work you may like Allison's, also.

Tony Trishka has a CD which, if I remember correctly, is called Turning Point. It is a retrospective of American Banjo, of sorts. Of interest on this is a reading of the introduction to a nineteenth century banjo instruction book, read by William Burroughs. I think there was even some punk-rock band playing on some of the later cuts.