On Dec. 16, the musician nominated in more categories than any other musician in Grammy history will perform at Kingsbury Hall.

Banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck has been nominated for country, pop, jazz, bluegrass, classical, folk, spoken word, composition and arranging.

On Dec. 16, the New York City-born-and-raised musician will be accompanied by his acclaimed band The Flecktones for a holiday show based on his Grammy-winning 2008 album "Jingle All the Way."

Knowing Fleck, he won't stop there. He is planning to play two long sets that include other material and collaborations.

Fleck has just been nominated three times for work done in 2009: Best Contemporary World Music Album and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Throw Down Your Heart," and Best Classical Crossover Album for "The Melody of Rhythm." The former was an enthralling exploration of the African origins of the banjo (brought to America by slaves) with on-location collaborations with musicians from Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Mali, South Africa and Madagascar. "The Melody of Rhythm" brought him together with Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain and double-bass maestro Edgar Meyer in a three-movement composition recorded live with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Fleck answered e-mail questions from The Salt Lake Tribune about his recent work and what he plans for his holiday show.

Why did you decide to go through with "Throw Down Your Heart"?

I really wanted to go. Even when Sony backed out and I became the executive producer, I knew it was something that needed to happen. It was the most money I have ever spent on a project, and though it will never recoup, it has been completely worth it.

This past summer at Red Butte Garden, you played with Malian kora master Toumani Diabete. Looking back on it, how did it go?

We loved it. The weather was crazy, but the music went great and the crowd was awesome.

What did you expect to learn from your trip to Africa?

I wanted to be in their bands and soak up their music. And I love interacting with musicians from different cultures. That is why the Tuvan Throatsingers Alash will join us on our concert, all the way from Siberia.

Will you perform more than just the songs you recorded for "Jingle All the Way"?

We will do a lot of music from "Jingle All the Way." This music is so much fun to play live. We have our version of "Twelve Days of Christmas," which we play in 12 keys and 12 time signatures, [as well as] "Silent Night" in 5/4 [time]. And the Tuvans -- if you have never heard throatsinging, you need to hear this. And if you have heard it, I don't have to tell you. We also have a pal traveling with us who is a great fiddle player and he is sitting in as well. Casey Driessen is his name, and he is highly regarded on the scene.

What is your next project?

Well, I am overlapping at the moment. Currently I have my African project "Throw Down Your Heart," and "The Melody of Rhythm" with Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer, [who are] all active and taking turns on the road. Then there is a movie soundtrack and a concerto to write. It's a busy and wonderful set of people and opportunities.

Congratulations on your latest Grammy nominations. Does getting nominated ever get old?

I am a Grammy voter and I see how many people are on the lists, sometimes hundreds. Then it gets knocked down to five artists. I am amazed to be nominated three times this year, for "Throw Down" and "Melody." It is familiar, after 30 nominations, but it's not taken for granted.

What is your New Year's resolution?

Remember to breathe. Make time for the people who are important to me. Hold the musical line. Eat less, write more.