In terms of pure musicianship - the ability to play or sing well, both technically and expressively - the individual members of the Tedeschi Trucks Band are each gifted, seasoned and professional. Some, most obviously Derek Trucks himself, ascend to a level of artistry that transcends mere training and practice. They are accomplished, but more importantly, they are unique, and born to be so.

Arithmetically speaking, the sum of the parts of TTB is a very large number. But taken as a whole, the Tedeschi Trucks Band and what they signify, is much greater. And clearly, they know this themselves, and strive against odds to make it work, night after night, year after year. After all, as a practical matter, a successful and sustainable 12-piece band is no small feat.

A TTB show is not so much a band playing hits to please a crowd, as a collective of like-minded artists, shelving their egos and elevating each other, to create something of great beauty, that can't be made without all of them there.

This is evident even in the sequence of performances in last night's show. The opener was TTB's own Gabe Dixon, who was making excellent original music under his own name, with some following, well before he stepped into TTB, to fill the enormous hole left by the tragic early death of keyboardist/flautist Kofi Burbridge. Accompanied by a subset of the larger band, he played a subtle but strong, 30-minute preview of what was to come, showcasing original songs as well as a lovely cover of Tom Petty's "Wildflowers".

The second act was hometown favorites Los Lobos, who have a long-standing friendship with TTB, and have played with them in various forms over the years. The hometown crowd was thrilled to hear some of their most popular songs; after a half-century, Los Lobos sound as good as ever. But the special magic was when they were joined by Derek and Susan (Tedeschi) and other TTB members, for the last couple of songs, including a moving cover of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On".

And vice versa - as David Hidalgo of Los Lobos stated from the stage, they are "extended family". So it's both logical and delightful to see various members of either band, discreetly showing up to play with the other, at various points throughout their respective sets.

As for the main act, TTB played - as always - a selection of old and new original songs, and well-chosen covers from the classic rock and blues repertoire they've absorbed, and sometimes transformed.

One stunning moment was Derek's short solo guitar intro to "Keep On Growing" (by Derek and The Dominoes). His first few notes were a subtle hint at the original recording, then he went in a completely different melodic direction for an exquisite minute, then brought it back to the song we know well, to great effect.

The audience was happily receptive to old and new, as it should be. TTB is a thrilling live band, but has also produced many excellent original studio recordings. The latest project, called "I Am The Moon", is actually four separate "episodes", each a collection of songs (roughly a short album's worth), with accompanying continuous video.

This is a clever and original approach to releasing new music, and it's worthy of your attention. The first three episodes have been released (on YouTube), one per month starting in May of this year, with the fourth due in late August. They are highly recommended. Songs from this project were close to half of last night's set list, and they worked quite well in the live context.

Finally, there is one negative point to report from this otherwise superb show: the lack of young faces in the crowd.

It's great to see a sea of tie-dye shirts and grey ponytails (my own cohort), but folks, maybe the next time this band is in your town, you can drag along a child, grandchild, or other unsuspecting young victim. Most will stay glued to their phones, of course. But there are no machines in this collective - the moving parts are all wood, steel, breath, and muscle - and somewhere out there are those few kids who will be transformed by this, and pick up a real instrument. They need to be found and nurtured. The world needs them.

The rest of us can just look forward to our next opportunity to visit with the collective, and soak up a little joy.

The Immediate Family took the stage at The Mint, one of LA's premier mid-sized venues, on February 13, marking the beginning of a brief tour with scheduled dates in both California and Florida. The band boasts an assembly of iconic session musicians: Russ Kunkel on drums, Leland Sklar on bass, Danny Kortchmar, Steve Postell, and Waddy Wachtel on guitars. Kortchmar and Postell primarily handle the lead vocals.

These seasoned studio musicians have, since the early '70s, provided accompaniment to an extensive list of top-tier artists in live performances and recording sessions, a role they continue to fulfill. Notably, Kortchmar and Postell are also recognized for their significant contributions as songwriters and producers, amassing a remarkable catalog of hits for various artists.

The sheer volume of their achievements is so vast that it warrants a documentary rather than a brief mention. Thankfully, Denny Tedesco has addressed this with his film about The Immediate Family, following his acclaimed documentary "The Wrecking Crew" about a similar group of influential musicians from the '60s.

After decades of supporting other artists, these five close friends decided to channel their collective talents into a project of their own. The result was the formation of The Immediate Family and the release of an outstanding rock album aptly named after the band. Their second album, "Skin In The Game," is set to release on February 16.

Despite Waddy Wachtel's absence due to commitments with Stevie Nicks, Elliot Easton of The Cars stepped in to fill the gap with impeccable guitar work during last night's performance. The setlist included tracks from their current and upcoming albums, along with selections from the extensive catalogs of Kortchmar and Postell, featuring collaborations with Don Henley, Jackson Browne, and more. In a nod to Easton's participation, the band also performed several hits from The Cars. Highlights of the night were "Dirty Laundry," "New York Minute," "Just What I Needed," along with newer originals like "House Will Fall" and "Skin In The Game."

The musicians, each with over fifty years of experience, appeared in fine form, delivering performances that lived up to their legendary reputations. The venue was filled to capacity, the audience was ecstatic, and the mutual joy between the band and their fans was palpable, offering a much-needed uplift in these uncertain times.

For those in Florida and California, catching The Immediate Family live is highly recommended. While future opportunities might be limited not by age but by their ongoing commitments, their live shows are not to be missed.

For fans unable to attend in person, the "Immediate Family" film by Denny Tedesco is available on popular streaming platforms, alongside the band's music. Both the documentary and their records come with strong endorsements.

Opening for The Immediate Family last night was Calling Cadence, a local LA band led by Oscar Jesus Bugarin and Rae Cole. Their performance, characterized by a blend of classic soul, large-band arrangements reminiscent of Tedeschi Trucks Band, and influences of Prince, was a revelation. Their musicianship was exceptional, particularly Bugarin's, who also serves as the principal songwriter. Though Calling Cadence already had a following among the local audience, their set was a delightful discovery for many. Their debut album, also titled "Calling Cadence," is available across standard platforms and is well worth exploring.