Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn to Play Deer Valley's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, 7/28

"Two monsters of the banjo," (NPR), Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn join forces in a tremendous pickin' party at Deer Valley's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater on July 28. Washburn's old-time style and Fleck's bluegrass-jazz-and-beyond virtuosity blend seamlessly together as they add acoustic wizardry to the St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights concert series. Show starts at 7 p.m.; gates open at 5:30 p.m. For tickets: 435-655-3114 or www.BigStarsBrightNightsConcerts.org.

Whether on stage or in the recording studio, the Grammy-winning Fleck and Washburn effortlessly riff off of each other's remarkable talent with tunes such as the traditional "Railroad," fan favorite "Banjo Banjo" (written for their son) - and even an acoustic foray into '80s rock, covering Europe's "Final Countdown." Their styles differ, even in terms of how they pick the strings of their respective instruments. And, yet, their ability to collaborate across genres is undeniable - as illustrated by the success of their eponymous album, which traverses the acoustic landscape from murder ballads to gospel (and won the 2016 Best Folk Album Grammy).

Fleck, a 15-time Grammy winner, has devoted time away from his ensemble Béla Fleck and the Flecktones to a broad array of musical experiments, from writing a concerto for the Nashville Symphony to exploring the banjo's African roots to jazz duos with Chick Corea. Washburn has drawn critical acclaim for her solo albums, worked in folk musical diplomacy in China, presented an original theatrical production, contributed to singular side groups Uncle Earl and The Wu-Force and become quite a live draw in her own right.

"Watching Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn perform is to experience both the powerful interplay between their two different styles of banjo and to witness some hilarious banter between the married couple," according to PopMatters. "If you have any interest in folk, bluegrass, roots or Americana music, check out Fleck and Washburn... both will provide an excellent concert experience."

All St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights concerts take place at Deer Valley Resort's Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Shows start at 7 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.). Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn General Admission tickets are $40 (adults). Reserved seats start at $55 (adults). Discounted tickets are available for youth and seniors. Purchase lawn and reserved tickets as well as summer season punch cards (punch cards are available to Park City Institute members only) via phone at 435-655-3114, online at www.BigStarsBrightNightsConcerts.org and at Park City Institute's Box Office (located at 435 Swede Alley in the Mega-Genius Supply store and IQ HQ for the summer). Lawn tickets may also be purchased at the New Park Mega-Genius location (1153 Center Drive, Suite G-230); The King's English Bookshop (1511 South 1500 East, Salt Lake City); the Deer Valley Signatures stores located at 625 Main Street and Silver Lake Village and Deer Valley Etc. in Snow Park Lodge (please call 435-649-1000 or 800-424-DEER (3337) for Deer Valley store hours).

Gates open 90-minutes before show time. Coolers are permitted and a nine-inch chair height restriction (i.e. you shouldn't be able to roll a basketball under the seat) is enforced. Concerts will be held rain or shine.

Photo credit: Jim McGuire