This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After two solo albums — including "Orchestrion" that featured ensemble-oriented music mechanically controlled using solenoids and pneumatics — virtuoso jazz guitarist Pat Metheny has created a band called the "Unity Band" that features a tenor saxophone player in a Metheny-led band for the first time in over 30 years. "A lot of this is built around Chris Potter," Metheny said in a Tribune interview about the saxophone player. "He has a certain fluency he showed in his playing. I'm always looking for people who do things I haven't really thought of." Although Metheny is never short on inspiration, he said "writing for great saxophone players is fun." The name of Metheny's ensemble comes from his childhood, when he and his family attended Sunday concerts of another band called the Unity Band at the Unity Church in Missouri. Although the Methenys weren't members of the church, he said they were formative experiences. "Unity is something I've looked at my entire life," he said.
When • Sunday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m.Where • The State Room, 638 S. State St., Salt Lake CityTickets • $47.50 at thestateroom.com