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Susan Tedeschi

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Susan Tedeschi
Tedeschi in the Netherlands, 2006
Tedeschi in the Netherlands, 2006
Background information
Born(1970-11-09)November 9, 1970(age 53)
Boston,Massachusetts,U.S.
GenresBlues,Americana
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, Guitar
Years active1995–present
Labels
Websitesusantedeschi.com

Susan Tedeschi(/təˈdɛski/;born November 9, 1970) is an American singer and guitarist. A multiple Grammy Award nominee,[1]she is a member of theTedeschi Trucks Band,a conglomeration of her band, her husbandDerek Trucks's band, and other musicians.

Early life[edit]

Tedeschi was born on November 9, 1970, inBoston, Massachusetts,to a family of Italian ancestry and was raised inNorwell.She is the daughter of Dick Tedeschi, granddaughter of Nick Tedeschi, and great-granddaughter of Angelo Tedeschi, who foundedTedeschi Food Shops,a New England–based supermarket and convenience store chain.[2]Tedeschi made her public debut as a five-year-oldunderstudyin aBroadway musical.As a youth, Tedeschi sang for family members and listened to her father's record collection of oldvinyl recordingsof musicians such asMississippi John HurtandLightnin' Hopkins.Raised as a Catholic, she found little inspiration in the church choir and attended predominantly African-American Baptist churches, feeling that the music was "less repressed and more like a celebration of God." In bands since the age of 13, Tedeschi formed her first all-original group at 18, the Smokin' Section, in the nearby town ofScituate.[3]

After graduating fromNorwell High School,Tedeschi attended theBerklee College of Music,where she sang in agospel choir.She performed show tunes on theSpirit of Bostonand received herBachelor of Musicdegree in musical composition and performance at age 20.[1]During that time, Tedeschi began sitting in on blues jams at local venues and immersed herself in the Boston music scene.

Career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Susan Tedeschi and theTedeschi Trucks Bandat theAppel Farm Arts and Music Festival,June 2012. Kebbi Williams on saxophone, Maurice Brown on trumpet, and Saunders Sermons on trombone are in the background. (left to right)

Tedeschi formed the Susan Tedeschi Band in 1993,[1]with Adrienne Hayes, Jim Lamond and Mike Aiello. In December 1995, the band releasedBetter Daysto regional audiences. The 1997 recording sessions produced byTom Hambridgewere acquired by Richard Rosenblatt for hisindie labelTone-Cool Records. The result is the first album released in February 1998 under the sole name of Susan Tedeschi;Just Won't Burn,featuring young guitaristSean Costello,received very positive reviews, particularly from critics and blues publications.

Tedeschi was the first artist to play Michele Clark's firstSunset Sessionsin March 1998 at the Marriott Hotels & Resorts in theUnited States Virgin Islands.[4]

In 1999, Tedeschi played several dates in the all-woman traveling festivalLilith Fairorganized bySarah McLachlan.[3]Throughout 1998 and 1999, she extensively toured the United States and drew larger crowds.

As an opening act[edit]

Eventually, Tedeschi was opening forJohn Mellencamp,B.B. King,Buddy Guy,The Allman Brothers Band,Taj MahalandBob Dylan.In 2000,Just Won't Burn(1998) reached Gold record status for sales of 500,000 in the United States, rare for a blues production. She recorded two tracks withDouble Troubleband membersChris LaytonandTommy Shannonfor their album.

She opened forThe Rolling Stonesin 2003 and played in huge venues, gaining national exposure. The gig was not financially lucrative. According to Tedeschi, "They pay, but it's not great. I don't make any money 'cause I've got to pay all my sidemen. I'll be lucky if I break even."[5]

In 2004, Tedeschi was featured on the PBS television programAustin City Limitswith William Green onHammond organ;Jason Crosby on keyboards, violin, and vocals; Ron Perry on bass; andJeff Sipeon drums.[6]

Soul Stew Revival[edit]

Soul Stew Revival atMizner ParkwithDerek TrucksDecember 28, 2007

While inNew Orleansopening for the Allman Brothers Band on their 1999 summer tour, Tedeschi metDerek Trucks,the band's slide guitarist and bandleader and lead guitarist ofThe Derek Trucks Band.In addition to a personal relationship, Tedeschi and Trucks then toured together frequently under the nameSoul Stew Revival.This included members of The Derek Trucks Band, members of Tedeschi's band, and other musicians who travelled with them, including Trucks' younger brother, drummer Duane Trucks. In 2008, they added a three-piecehorn section.

Tedeschi Trucks Band[edit]

In 2010, Tedeschi and Trucks announced a hiatus for their solo bands, and formed a new group calledTedeschi Trucks Band.The group performed at a number of festivals including Eric Clapton'sCrossroads Guitar Festival,Fuji Rock Festivaland others. Unlike their previous collaborative project – Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi's Soul Stew Revival – the Tedeschi Trucks Band focuses on writing and performing original material and is the focus of both Trucks and Tedeschi for the foreseeable future.[7]

Layla Revisited (Live at LOCKN')was announced on May 7, 2021. The album is a one-time live recording of theDerek and The DominosalbumLayla and Other Assorted Love Songsperformed in full withTrey Anastasio.Recorded on August 24, 2019, at theLockn' FestivalinArrington,Virginia, the album was released on July 16, 2021.[8]

Personal life[edit]

On December 5, 2001, Tedeschi married Derek Trucks. They have two children: Charles Kahlil Trucks, born in March 2002, is named for saxophonistCharlie Parker,guitaristCharlie Christian,and authorKahlil Gibran;and Sophia Naima Trucks, born in 2004, who takes her middle name from theballadcomposed byJohn Coltrane,in honor of his first wife. They reside inJacksonville, Florida.[9]

Tedeschi arranged theBerkleescholarship that was awarded toAdrianne Lenker,lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of the Grammy-nominated rock bandBig Thief.[10][11]

Influences[edit]

Tedeschi's voice has been described as a blend ofBonnie RaittandJanis Joplin,[12]both of whom she claims as influences. Her guitar playing is influenced byBuddy Guy,Johnny "Guitar" Watson,Stevie Ray Vaughan,Freddie KingandDoyle Bramhall II.On the albumJust Won't Burn(1998), Tedeschi lists a multitude of inspirations from various genres. This list includesIrma Thomas,Etta James,Bob Marley,Toots Hibbert,Aretha Franklin,Otis Rush,Ronnie Earl,Otis Clay,Ray Charles,Billie Holiday,Bob Dylan,Dennis Montgomery III,Orville Wright,Walter Beasley,Kenya Hathaway,andMahalia Jackson.

Award nominations[edit]

Awards won[edit]

  • 2022 James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for “her embodiment of the American Experience through music; for imbuing the American soundtrack with songs that transcend from grief to joy; for staying true to her art form and for using her voice to share stories of hope in advocating for a better world.”[13]
  • 2012Grammy Award for Best Blues AlbumforRevelator(with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
  • 2014Blues Music Awardfor Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year
  • 2014 Blues Music Award for Band of the Year (with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
  • 2014 Blues Music Award for Rock Blues Album of the Year for "Made Up Mind" (with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
  • 2017 Blues Music Award for Rock Blues Album of the Year for "Let Me Get By" (with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
  • 2017 Blues Music Award for Band of the Year (with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
  • 2017 Blues Music Award for Contemporary Female Blues Artist of the Year

Tedeschi served as a judge for the 7th annual Independent Music Awards.[14]

Discography[edit]

As leader or co-leader[edit]

With the Tedeschi Trucks Band

As guest[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abc"Acclaimed singer Susan Tedeschi comes back home – for a song".The Patriot Ledger.July 3, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2018.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  2. ^"Our History".Tedeschi Food Shops.RetrievedNovember 3,2019.
  3. ^ab[1]ArchivedMay 15, 2008, at theWayback Machine
  4. ^Sunset Sessions."Locations & Alumni".Archived fromthe originalon April 12, 2013.RetrievedJune 28,2018.
  5. ^Nick Marino."Jacksonville Grammy-nominee Susan Tedeschi is... - Jacksonville.com".Jacksonville.com.RetrievedJanuary 7,2015.
  6. ^""Austin City Limits" Susan Tedeschi/Ruthie Foster (TV Episode 2003) ".IMDb.October 18, 2003.RetrievedJanuary 7,2015.
  7. ^Bryson, Alan (June 7, 2010)."Susan Tedeschi: Dreams and Legends".All About Jazz.RetrievedJune 7,2010.
  8. ^"Tedeschi Trucks Band Announces 'Layla Revisited'".premiereguitar.com.May 7, 2021.RetrievedMay 10,2021.
  9. ^[2]ArchivedDecember 25, 2008, at theWayback Machine
  10. ^Naddaff-Hafrey, Benjamin (November 9, 2017)."The Lore Of Big Thief".NPR.RetrievedDecember 15,2022.
  11. ^Mapes, Jill (April 6, 2017)."Big Thief's Adrianne Lenker Is One of a Kind".Pitchfork.RetrievedDecember 15,2022.
  12. ^Friss, Gwenn (June 27, 2009)."Tedeschi earns Sweet Forgiveness".Cape Cod Times.Cape Cod Media Group. Archived fromthe originalon June 17, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 9,2010.
  13. ^Institution, Smithsonian."The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal".Smithsonian Institution.RetrievedJanuary 7,2024.
  14. ^"Past Judges for the Independent Music Awards Include:-".Independentmusicawards.com. Archived fromthe originalon July 13, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 7,2015.
  15. ^"Susan Tedeschi | Album Discography | AllMusic".AllMusic.RetrievedJune 30,2018.
  16. ^Piccalo, Gina (November 5, 2015)."Pakistan's Sachal Jazz Ensemble rises above the risks in 'Song of Lahore'".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJune 21,2023.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toSusan Tedeschi.
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