Garden veers from solo sound

Expect a fuller, richer sound emanating from Red Butte Garden's amphitheater this summer.

After two years of lineups weighted toward solo, acoustic performances, almost all of this year's performers in the summer-concert series will be bringing full backing bands.

While many of the shows will still be acoustic, the bands are being added primarily because of the artistic tendencies of the musicians. It will not be the quiet acoustic sound of a singer with a guitar.

For Red Butte veterans, the slate is also a relatively original batch of artists. Only two of this year's acts, John Hiatt and Jonny Lang, played last year, and both will be bringing a different show. Also, only four of the acts have played the garden in recent years.

Most notable is the inclusion of an array of roots, blues and jazz musicians, and less of a reliance on proven singer-songwriter acts. That lends this year's series a different feel, said Chris Mautz, producer of the outdoor concert series.

The biggest coup may prove to be jazz legend Herbie Hancock on Aug. 6 — for the performance of a musical institution and for the opening of the ampitheater to more jazz acts.

While the garden has seen a few jazz artists, they have generally been torch singers like Norah Jones. "We haven't had many great jazz shows at the garden, but we think it's a genre that really fits the style of Red Butte," Mautz said. "We feel really lucky to have Herbie Hancock."

The blues will also be well represented, with singer Koko Taylor playing on July 14 and "gumbo" musician Dr. John on Aug. 17. Blues guitarist and singer Lang, meanwhile, will be plugging in the instruments after a well-received acoustic show last year.

Bluegrass fans should also be pleased, as three acts are on tap: The Del McCoury Band will be opening the series on June 11, the always-entertaining trio Nickel Creek will be coming on Aug. 13, and Dobro master Jerry Douglas will be joining Roseanne Cash for the final show on Aug. 27.

On the other end of the spectrum will be James McMurtry and Hot Tuna, which promises to be a raucous (at least by Red Butte standards) and potentially lengthy show.

Hiatt, who has played solo-acoustic shows the past two years at Red Butte, will also be a more energetic show, thanks to the addition of the North Mississippi All-Stars as a backing band.