Tedeschi Trucks Band

As soon as the lights dimmed in Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, it became evident that Tedeschi Trucks Band had just given an unforgettable performance to its audience.

Husband-wife duo Daniel and Cari Lee bring an eclectic sound, drawing from influences including blues, rock, jazz and world music to form their band.

About the band

With multiple Grammy awards to their credit, singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi and guitarist Derek Trucks, known as Susan Tedeschi Trucks duo, have created music from an extensive variety of influences that spans Delta blues to Memphis soul, Sixties rock and Seventies funk, Sixties rock. Together they combine them seamlessly while maintaining their distinct sense of purpose.

On their new album, I Am the Moon — their first since keyboard player Kofi Burbridge passed away from cancer in 2017 — the band explores family, faith and love through an operatic lens. Their project centers around Nizami Ganjavi’s narrative poem Layla and Majnun from 12th-century Iran.

Each member of this renowned band is an outstanding performer; however, it would be unfair to single out just one as all contribute so greatly to creating its unique sound and vision.

Lead vocalist Susan Tedeschi

Tedeschi made an immediate statement with her 1998 debut Just Won’t Burn that she would make waves as an artist and musician. That album served as a springboard to an impressive career that included guest appearances and tours with Grateful Dead; musical connections with Derek Trucks that eventually resulted in Tedeschi Trucks Band; guest performances at other Dead shows; harmonic convergence between her and Derek Trucks that resulted in musical union; and their respective respective bands being formed as Tedeschi Trucks Bands.

Creative couple Mike & Wendy Wilson have long drawn inspiration from legacy acts, often recreating classic songs by Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor and Freddie King for live sets. However, it is their original catalog that marks them out as “America’s finest rock & roll big band“.

Tedeschi performed at the Orpheum Theatre a captivating rendition of Signs’ heartbreak ballad “It’s So Heavy”, turning into an impassioned plea for compassion, solidarity and sensitivity towards those suffering under unjust policies or political oppression.

Guitarist Derek Trucks

Derek Trucks, recognized as “one of the most significant musicians of his generation” by NPR. His masterful slide guitar playing has earned him widespread acclaim at each TTB show, earning him much respect from Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy, Wynonna Judd and The Blind Boys of Alabama albums as well as appearing solo albums from Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy, Wynonna Judd and Blind Boys of Alabama albums and appearing at events at both White House as well as paying homage on stage to legendary blues artists like Freddie King and Hubert Sumlin.

As a teenager, he spent much of his time touring and honing his skills to form his musical identity. Averaging over 200 shows each year, he created an intoxicating mix of influences spanning electric blues, reggae, modern jazz and classical Indian ragas – not forgetting jam band guest appearances with Gov’t Mule and Widespread Panic among many others.

Bassist Chris Staples

Staples has long been an integral component of projects such as Twothirtyeight, Discover America and Telekinesis; his music can be heard across gritty indie rock, upbeat singer/songwriter pop and reflective folk-rock genres. A seasoned carpenter himself, Staples has also earned himself recognition as an invaluable backing musician for artists such as Josh Tillman (now Father John Misty) and Jeremy Enigk.

Tedeschi Trucks Band has steadily been building their fan base over the past decade, and are firmly established at Chicago’s Orpheum Theatre as part of their touring schedule. Together they’ve formed an ensemble that allows each member to shine.

Staples delivers ten songs on his new record Signs, recorded to two-inch analog tape at their Florida home studio Swamp Raga. Each track traces back through memory or offers glimpses into humanity’s everyday moments.

Drummer Steve Lukather

Lukather has earned an international following thanks to his genre-defying and generation-spanning musical abilities on albums by Michael Jackson (Thriller), Stevie Nicks (Wild Heart) and Toto (entire catalog). Additionally he has released several successful solo albums.

Lukather’s versatility has allowed him to collaborate with an eclectic roster of musical artists and record albums by everyone from Peter Criss and Elton John to Toto and their Human Nature album.

Lukather can often be seen performing with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai as part of the G3 band, recording session projects for various artists as “Luke”, or gardening his Hollywood Hills home and meditating spiritually.