Draper Historic Park will once again host free concerts on Wednesday evenings for the month of June. Draper City’s Summer Concerts in the Park series kicks off June 4 with the Salt Lake City-based bluegrass band, The Pickpockets. Students from Draper’s Rock U, the cover band Paradox and the B.D. Howes Band are scheduled to perform on the following Wednesdays.

The Pickpockets

Mandolinist and lead singer of The Pickpockets, Dante Giacobassi, said that the audience at Draper Historic Park “can expect a lively performance in an array of genres. We’ll take you on a journey.”

He described the band’s sound as “new-grass.” “We explore other styles with instruments that are meant for bluegrass,” Giacobassi explained. The Pickpockets perform reggae, funk and rock covers on acoustic instruments along with original songs.

Although based in Salt Lake City, the band has ties to Draper. “We recorded our first album at a recording studio in Suncrest,” he said. “A lot of our songs were written in the mountains, inspired by natural beauty.”

Giacobassi said that some of the band members moved to Utah to enjoy the outdoors. The Pickpockets first formed in 2019. “It started with a few friends. We met others at local bluegrass jams,” he said.

The five-piece band features mandolin, fiddle, upright bass and both acoustic and electric guitar. The Pickpockets are looking forward to playing at Draper Historic Park. “This will be our first, full-band Draper show,” Giacobassi said.

Rock U

Past Bedtime, Star Soda and Moon Juice will return to Draper Historic Park June 11. All three bands are made up of students taking music lessons at Rock University. Conner Mather, vocalist and guitarist for Star Soda, said that he thinks the audience will notice how far the bands have progressed since they played at the park last summer. “We’ve all become better,” he said, “Our songs are better, more musical in some aspects.”

Rock U has been offering lessons in guitar, drum and voice to young people since 2009. In addition to learning to play instruments, many of the students have formed their own bands and made lasting friendships.

The members of Star Soda range in age from 12 to 14. In addition to performing a variety of covers, the band is writing new songs as well. Drummer and vocalist Ryder deBry described Star Soda’s evolving sound as “punk, pop-alternative rock.”

“They are all best friends,” Jenny Mather, director of events at Rock U said. “They have a ton of fun outside besides playing together. They all love performing.”

All of the musicians in the band Past Bedtime are currently 12 years old. “We were 10 when it started,” guitarist Merrill Oaks explained. The band had to change their set list since last summer because their voices changed.

Past Bedtime’s unusual name was inspired by their 9 p.m. rehearsal time slot at Rock U. Bass player Jayda Kehl described their country-tinged pop sound, “We play some older songs, some classics but also Benson Boone, Taylor Swift and Shaboozey.”

Moon Juice will also bring their unique brand of jazz-pop fusion back to the park. The band, comprised of students from Corner Canyon High School, have developed a large fan base over the past few years. Their upcoming gig at Draper Days next month will be one of the last opportunities for fans to catch Moon Juice before the members embark on their post-high school plans.

Paradox

The band Paradox will perform at Draper Historic Park June 18. Vocalist and keyboard player, Bryan Chapman, described the group as “a cover band.” “We play a mix of classic and soft rock, all the hits,” he said. “Light music is fun, it’s worth celebrating.”

Paradox performs songs by Pablo Cruise, Christopher Cross, the Eagles, Doobie Brothers and Journey and many others. The band gives these classic covers a unique twist with multilayered vocals and a guitar duo.

“For the lead solos, they hand it back and forth,” he said, describing the way in which guitarists Ben Howard and Cory Jensen turn guitar solos into duets. “They love to play together,” he added.

Paradox also has a community connection as both Howard and drummer Ken Law reside in Draper. The band rehearses at Law’s home. Paradox formed in 1978 and three of the current members were in the original band. “We have a revolving set of people who have played with us over the years,” Chapman explained. “It’s an extended family of Paradox players.”

Currently, the band is made up of three vocalists, two guitarists, a drummer and a bass player. Chapman said that friendship and love for the music has kept the band together for so many years. “It’s just fun to get together with these guys and play,” he said.

B.D. Howes Band

The members of the B.D. Howes Band have been together for over 20 years. Singer/songwriter B.D. Howes described the band’s sound as “eclectic rock.” They have played a mixture of covers and original songs at gigs along the Wasatch Front for years in addition to producing their own albums.

The band’s set list alternates cover tunes with originals. “It’s 50/50,” Howes said. They cover pieces by artists both old and new, crossing genres of rock, pop, country and more. Audiences may hear songs by bands ranging from classic rock icons Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac and U2 to current artists such as Adele and Lady Gaga.

Howes explained that these artists and groups have served as inspiration to the band over the years. “When you’re watching someone and you just fall in love with their style, you can’t help but get inspired,” he said.

The B.D. Howes Band, which is based in Salt Lake City, consists of four members on vocals, guitar, bass and drums. Howes, who sings and plays acoustic guitar, is the front man.

Douglas Hunter plays lead guitar. He recalled that the band performed at Draper Historic Park a couple of years ago. “We had a great time, it really is a great audience,” Hunter said. “And it’s a fun place to play, right in the middle of your city.”

The Draper Summer Concerts in the Park begin Wednesdays in June at 7 p.m. at Draper Historic Park, 12625 S. 900 East. Audience members are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs, snacks and beverages although alcohol and glass bottles are prohibited. The concert series is organized and sponsored by Draper City. λ