Susan Tedeschi

Susan Tedeschi is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and guitarist renowned for her powerful, soulful voice and mastery of blues rock. Rising to prominence as a solo artist in the late 1990s, she later achieved even greater success as co-leader of the Grammy-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band, a premier roots rock ensemble she fronts with her husband, guitarist Derek Trucks. Her career is distinguished by a series of critically lauded albums, dynamic live performances, and multiple awards that cement her status as a leading figure in contemporary American music.

Early life and education

Born on November 9, 1970, in Boston, Massachusetts, Susan Tedeschi was raised in nearby Norwell. Her early musical environment was rich and diverse, influenced by her father's extensive record collection which included seminal works by artists like B.B. King, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin. She began singing as a child and took up the guitar in her teenage years, immersing herself in the blues and R&B traditions. Tedeschi pursued formal musical training, earning a degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she honed her skills in performance and music theory, laying a formidable foundation for her professional career.

Musical career

Tedeschi's professional career began in the early 1990s fronting local bands in the New England circuit. Her breakthrough came with the 1998 album Just Won't Burn on Tone-Cool Records, which went gold and earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist, featuring the hit single "It Hurt So Bad." This success led to tours with artists like B.B. King and The Allman Brothers Band. She followed with well-received albums such as Wait for Me and Hope and Desire, the latter produced by Joe Henry and featuring covers of songs by Otis Redding and Bob Dylan. A pivotal evolution occurred in 2010 when she merged her solo group with her husband Derek Trucks' band to form the Tedeschi Trucks Band, a large, horn-driven ensemble. Their debut, Revelator, won the Grammy Award for Best Blues Album. Subsequent albums like Made Up Mind and Signs have solidified the band's reputation for expansive, genre-blending artistry, leading to sold-out tours at major venues like the Ryman Auditorium and headlining slots at festivals such as the Newport Folk Festival.

Personal life

Susan Tedeschi is married to renowned slide guitarist Derek Trucks, nephew of Allman Brothers Band drummer Butch Trucks and leader of the Derek Trucks Band. The couple, who began a romantic relationship after meeting on tour, wed in 2001. They have two children, a son and a daughter, and maintain a family home in Jacksonville, Florida. Balancing a demanding touring schedule with family life, they are also known for their philanthropic efforts, notably through their work with the MusiCares foundation. Their personal and professional partnership is central to the creative engine of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, one of the few major acts in popular music built around a married couple as its principal creative forces.

Discography

* Better Days (1995) – Tone-Cool Records * Just Won't Burn (1998) – Tone-Cool Records * Wait for Me (2002) – Tone-Cool Records/Artemis Records * Hope and Desire (2005) – Verve Forecast * Back to the River (2008) – Verve Forecast * With Tedeschi Trucks Band: ** Revelator (2011) – Sony Masterworks ** Made Up Mind (2013) – Sony Masterworks ** Let Me Get By (2016) – Fantasy Records ** Signs (2019) – Fantasy Records ** I Am the Moon (2022) – Fantasy Records

Awards and nominations

Susan Tedeschi has received widespread critical recognition throughout her career. As a solo artist, she earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 2000. Her work with the Tedeschi Trucks Band has garnered multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Blues Album for Revelator. The band has also won several Blues Music Awards, including Band of the Year. Individually, Tedeschi has been nominated for multiple Blues Music Awards in categories such as Contemporary Blues Female Artist. In 2020, she and Derek Trucks were jointly honored with a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for Signs.