Tedeschi Trucks Band is as much a musical movement as they are a band. They are a large group of gifted musicians that travel around the country together as a family, bandmates and friends. The dozen musicians who make up this powerful force of musical joy are all well-seasoned road warriors. They spend countless hours and miles on the road, chasing the moonlight through the windshields of their homes on wheels to arrive at their next gig. With so many band members come many musical influences and musical ideas. The unique way the band blends elements of southern rock, blues, rock, jam, soul and Americana together into one neat package allows a broad listening palette for their devoted and diverse fan base.
Derek Trucks' southern roots from Jacksonville, Florida, and East Coast vibes from Boston, Massachusetts–born Susan Tedeschi somehow came together not only in a musical marriage but a physical one as well. After a decade of marriage, the couple decided to merge their two very successful solo careers together, forming the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2010. The band's highly anticipated 2011 debut album “Revelator” lived up to the hype and awarded them the Grammy for Best Blues Album at the 2012 Grammy Awards. The rest is musical history, with a half a dozen studio albums and three live albums under their belts. The couple and extended band family tour extensively around the country, delighting scores of fans and picking up new ones along the way.
Last night the anticipation of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, nestled between the massive monoliths and under the star-filled sky at the majestic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, was a mile high and climbing. The excitement of seeing arguably the most talented husband-and-wife musical duo was thick in the air, and you could feel the energy building as time closed in on their onstage arrival. When the band appeared on stage with wide smiles and a happy gleam in their eyes, you could feel the temperature rise and the momentum of the audience reach into the red.
Armed with what appeared to be Jerry Garcia’s white Travis Bean guitar, Derek Trucks launched into “Franklin’s Tower” by the Grateful Dead. Yesterday was Jerry’s birthday, so it was a fitting gesture by the band to honor the late Garcia. If the guitar was in fact Jerry’s, the sticker on the back of the guitar body was changed from “The Enemy Is Listening” to “Ass, Grass or Gas, Nobody Rides Free.” Trucks lit up the adoring crowd immediately with his flowing guitar riffs, soul-searing solos and chunky guitar tone. Tedeschi, playing her Fender Telecaster right alongside Trucks, had her own distinctive playing style and a bit more out-of-phase tone from her guitar. Their styles are vastly different in technique and tone, but they blended so well together, giving the overall guitar rhythms several different adventurous opportunities.
Joining Susan and Derek on stage was Tyler Greenwell on drums and percussion, Mike Mattison on lead and harmony vocals and acoustic guitar, Mark Rivers on harmony vocals, Kebbi Williams on saxophone and flute, Emmanuel Echem on trumpet, Elizabeth Lea on trombone, Alecia Chakour on harmony vocals, Brandon Boone on bass guitar, Gabe Dixon on keyboards and vocals, and Isaac Eady on drums and percussion. That is one heck of a wall of sound, and man, did they ever bring it to the house last night. Every member of this band played with style, taste, and grace, giving the audience a massive assortment of sound, moods, and textures to groove to.
The non-stop guitar onslaught from Trucks was indeed mind-bendingly beautiful. He either hand-picks each note or they somehow find him. The synchronicity between Trucks and his instrument was astounding to watch and hear. The fluidness of his playing was melodic, whimsical, and flat-out, face-melting fantastic. His Allman Brothers background certainly helped shape his creative style. I guess he really paid attention to what was happening around him at a very early age, and it stuck to him like butter on a biscuit. He speaks loudly with his guitar, and his musical influences and ambitious attitude flow freely from his fingertips. I must share this personal moment I have regarding Derek Trucks. Shortly before Johnny Winter’s death, I was on a tour bus with him in London, England, and I asked him who his favorite slide guitar player was, and without hesitation or blinking an eye, he said Derek Trucks. I am sure Derek was highly influenced by Winter's style and sound, and for that to be spoken by Winter was truly a testament to Trucks' talent. I hope Derek reads this article and feels the love from Johnny.
Susan Tedeschi had so much soul in her voice that it seemed to come out of her like there was a fire in her heart pushing the words in the audience’s direction. Her passion, power, and vulnerability were on full display with nothing held back, nothing left out, and so much to offer. Her vocal range was off the vocal range charts, and it just got stronger and bolder as the night progressed, leaving the audience hungry for more. Before I knew who she was, a friend told me she sings the blues like Janis Joplin; about a year later, in 1999, I met her and saw her perform, and yes, she has pipes that stand up with the likes of Slick, Joplin, and Jett. What a great show from the Tedeschi Trucks Band! The picture below is of the three men who keep the wheels turning on the tour buses by getting the band safely to each destination they play.
Opening the show was the very talented young lady with the golden hair and the Gibson guitar. Grace Bowers and her band made their Red Rocks debut, rocking the souls of the crowd and leaving jaws on the floor in their wake. Nineteen-year-old Bowers was a YouTube sensation during the pandemic. Her videos of herself playing guitar certainly caught the attention of many, and it sure paid off. Bowers is quickly stacking up the accolades, from giving charitable donations to organizations like MusiCares to receiving high praise from the likes of Rolling Stone and Forbes magazines. Bowers has hit the late-night circuit with Kimmel and Colbert and has played the Grand Ole Opry and the Grammy Awards. This young woman is on fire and rightfully so; she is a seriously talented guitar player and singer.
Last night’s set of funky, soulful, guitar-driven magic steered by Bowers was mind-blowing. Her guitar skills are way beyond her years, packed with imagination, exploration, and passion. What was highly noticeable about her playing style and creativity was the way she builds the song from the ground up. Bowers didn’t just jump into an explosive solo; she took the audience on an improvisational journey of guitar-driven intrigue and slow-burn vulnerability. It was like a psychedelic explosion of blues, funk, and soul, all wrapped up in an unpredictable, heart-pounding package.
The band was funky and fun, laying down cool grooves and moves to shake your assets to. Bowers' set was extraordinary, and I know many people there were seeing her for the first time and were absolutely floored by her musical skills. Bowers was joined onstage by vocalist Summer Joy Roberts, Moe Hill on bass, Brandon Combs on drums, Prince Parker on guitar, and Eric Wortham on keyboards. What a wonderful band, and we wish you all the best!
