Susan Tedeschi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Tedeschi
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Tedeschi in the Netherlands, 2006
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 9, 1970 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, Americana |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | |
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Susan Tedeschi (born November 9, 1970) is an amazing American singer and guitarist. She has been nominated for many Grammy Awards. Susan is also a key member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band. This band is a mix of her own band, her husband Derek Trucks's band, and other talented musicians.
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Susan's Early Life and Music Journey
Susan Tedeschi was born in Boston on November 9, 1970. Her family has Italian roots, and she grew up in Norwell, Massachusetts. Her great-grandfather, Angelo Tedeschi, started a well-known store chain called Tedeschi Food Shops.
Susan first performed in public when she was just five years old. She was an understudy in a Broadway musical. As a child, she loved singing for her family. She also listened to her father's old vinyl records. These records featured blues legends like Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin' Hopkins.
Even though she grew up Catholic, Susan found more musical inspiration in African-American Baptist churches. She felt the music there was "less repressed and more like a celebration of God." Susan started playing in bands at age 13. By 18, she formed her first band that played only original songs, called the Smokin' Section.
After finishing high school in Norwell, Susan Tedeschi went to the Berklee College of Music. There, she sang in a gospel choir. She also performed show tunes on a ship called the Spirit of Boston. She earned her music degree at age 20. During this time, Susan started joining blues jam sessions in Boston. She became very involved in the local music scene.
Susan's Music Career
Starting Her Band
Susan Tedeschi started the Susan Tedeschi Band in 1993. Her bandmates were Adrienne Hayes, Jim Lamond, and Mike Aiello. In 1995, they released their first album, Better Days, to local fans.
Later, in 1997, she recorded new songs with producer Tom Hambridge. These songs were picked up by Richard Rosenblatt for his indie label, Tone-Cool Records. This led to her first album released under just her name, Just Won't Burn, in February 1998. This album featured young guitarist Sean Costello and received great reviews from music critics.
In 1999, Susan played at the Lilith Fair festival. This was a traveling music festival that featured only women artists, organized by Sarah McLachlan. Throughout 1998 and 1999, she toured all over the United States. She started attracting bigger and bigger crowds.
Opening for Famous Artists
Susan Tedeschi soon began opening concerts for huge stars. She performed before John Mellencamp, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, The Allman Brothers Band, Taj Mahal, and Bob Dylan. In 2000, her album Just Won't Burn (from 1998) sold over 500,000 copies in the U.S. This earned it a Gold record status, which is rare for a blues album. She also recorded two songs with Double Trouble band members Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon.
In 2003, she even opened for The Rolling Stones! Playing in such big venues helped her become known across the country. In 2004, Susan was featured on the PBS television show Austin City Limits.
Soul Stew Revival and Tedeschi Trucks Band
While on tour with the Allman Brothers Band in 1999, Susan met Derek Trucks in New Orleans. Derek was the slide guitarist for the Allman Brothers and also led his own group, The Derek Trucks Band. Susan and Derek started a personal relationship and also began touring together. Their joint project was called Soul Stew Revival. This group included members from both of their bands, plus other musicians. In 2008, they added a three-piece horn section.
In 2010, Susan and Derek decided to take a break from their solo bands. They formed a brand new group called the Tedeschi Trucks Band. This band played at many big festivals, including Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival and Fuji Rock Festival. Unlike their earlier Soul Stew Revival, the Tedeschi Trucks Band focuses on writing and performing their own original songs. This band is now the main focus for both Susan and Derek.
In 2021, the Tedeschi Trucks Band released Layla Revisited (Live at LOCKN'). This album is a live recording of the entire Derek and The Dominos album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. They performed it with Trey Anastasio at the Lockn' Festival in Virginia in 2019.
Susan's Personal Life
Susan Tedeschi married Derek Trucks on December 5, 2001. They have two children together. Their son, Charles Kahlil Trucks, was born in March 2002. His name honors famous musicians Charlie Parker and Charlie Christian, and writer Kahlil Gibran. Their daughter, Sophia Naima Trucks, was born in 2004. Her middle name comes from the song "Naima" by John Coltrane, which he wrote for his first wife. The family lives in Jacksonville, Florida.
Susan also helped Adrianne Lenker, the lead singer of the band Big Thief, get a scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
Musical Influences
Many people describe Susan Tedeschi's singing voice as a mix of Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. Susan says both of these artists have influenced her. When it comes to her guitar playing, she is inspired by musicians like Buddy Guy, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, and Doyle Bramhall II. On her album Just Won't Burn, Susan listed many other artists who inspire her from different music styles.
Awards and Recognition
Award Nominations
Susan Tedeschi has been nominated for many prestigious awards:
- 2000 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist
- 2003 Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance
- 2004 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album for Wait For Me
- 2006 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album for Hope and Desire
- 2010 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album for Back to the River
- 2016 Americana Music Award for Duo/Group of the Year (with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
- 2017 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album for Live from the Fox Oakland
Awards Won
Susan Tedeschi has won several important awards for her music:
- 2022 James Smithson Bicentennial Medal. She received this for showing the "American Experience through music" and for using her voice to share hope.
- 2012 Grammy Award for Best Blues Album for Revelator (with Tedeschi Trucks Band)
- 2014 Blues Music Award for 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
Susan also helped judge the 7th annual Independent Music Awards.
Discography (Music Albums)
As a Solo Artist or Co-Leader
- Better Days (1995)
- Just Won't Burn (1998)
- Wait for Me (2002)
- Live from Austin, TX (2004)
- Hope and Desire (2005)
- Back to the River (2008)
With the Tedeschi Trucks Band
- Revelator (2011)
- Everybody's Talkin' (2012)
- Made Up Mind (2013)
- Let Me Get By (2016)
- Live from the Fox Oakland (2017)
- Signs (2019)
- Layla Revisited (Live at LOCKN') (2021)
- I Am the Moon (2022)
As a Guest Musician
Susan Tedeschi has also appeared as a guest on many other artists' albums, including:
- Welcome to Little Milton (1999), Little Milton
- Joyful Noise (2002), Derek Trucks Band
- Already Free (2009), Derek Trucks Band
- Truth (2007), Robben Ford
- Bug (2007), Various Artists
- Skin Deep (2008), Buddy Guy
- "Space Captain", The Imagine Project (2010), Herbie Hancock with Derek Trucks
- "Burn it down", Tin Can Trust (2010), Los Lobos
- "Bright Lights, Big City" Roots (2011) Johnny Winter
- "Mixed Drinks About Feelings", Mr. Misunderstood (2015), Eric Church
- "Ain't No Thing", Wynonna & the Big Noise (2016), Wynonna Judd
- "Color of the Blues", For Better, or Worse (2016), John Prine
- Song of Lahore (2016), The Sachal Ensemble with Derek Trucks
- "Cortez The Killer", (2019), Dave Matthews Band
- The sky is crying (2023) Jeff Beck Tribute
See also
In Spanish: Susan Tedeschi para niños
