Tedeschi Trucks Band Concert: Former Allman Brothers
On one fine day in June, my dear friend and colleague, Olivia May ’26, sent me a telegram (texted me) from the other side of the world (from her study abroad program in Argentina) to give me an intriguing proposal. It was this: on our second Friday back on campus, a very talented band by the name of Tedeschi Trucks Band would be playing at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and she wanted us to attend together. Needless to say, I was in. I didn’t care who was playing as long as I got to take a little road trip, spend some time with my homegirl, and dance my little booty off. But if I could have predicted how much this groovy, bluesy, rocking and rolling crew was going to steal my heart, I would have been even more ecstatic.
I didn’t have much prior knowledge about the band, except that they have a beautiful (and popular) song called “Midnight in Harlem” that I’ve heard student bands play at St. Lawrence University. However, when I started to tell people where I was going to be on Friday (instead of at the Club Fair representing my many organizations, oops!) the reaction was unanimous: A resounding chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs,” of “you’re so lucky”s and “wow I’m so jealous”s. I started to realize that this band might be something special that I wasn’t quite mentally prepared for.
It wasn’t until the day before the concert that it was patiently explained to me, while sitting on the porch of my house, that the lead singer and guitarist are in fact, a married couple, and that the name of the band comes from their two last names combined (Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks). Trucks is a prodigal guitarist who first played with his uncle, Butch Trucks, in the Allman Brothers Band when he was about 12. He became an official member of the Allman Brothers in 1999, and spent the first half of his career with the likes of musicians such as Bob Dylan, Joe Walsh, Stephen Stills, JJ Cale and Eric Clapton. As Noah Donnellan-Doser ’26 said when I brought up the show, “Derek Trucks is your favorite guitarist’s favorite guitarist. He’s my dad’s favorite guitarist!”
Around 1999, Derek Trucks began touring with Susan Tedeschi, combining their respective bands into a group they called Soul Stew Revival. At the time, Tedeschi was opening for big names such as John Mellencamp, B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Bob Dylan, and of course, the Allman Brothers. In 2000, her first album, “Just Don’t Burn,” reached Gold record status, a rare feat in the blues genre. In 2010, the two lovebirds formed their own official band of 12 members, which is the one we all now know and love. Tedeschi was, and very much still is, a badass, ripping guitar player, and has one of the most beautiful and soulful singing voices I’ve ever heard. In the words of Silas Timm ’27, “Susan Tedeschi is my number one celebrity crush. Actually, Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star might be number one, but Susan is up there.”
The time had finally come. After a beautiful but chaotic drive through the Adirondacks, a quick outfit change, and the accidental purchase of a $28 drink at the venue, we were posted up at our spot on the barrier with a gaggle of other SLU friends. It was the moment we had all been waiting for. But first, about two hours of the opening band, Gov’t Mule, which I learned is also led by a former Allman brother, Warren Haynes. They rocked it, but I couldn’t help but get a little antsy for the main act. And then suddenly they were on. Our group stood in a circle as they started to play and silently prayed that they would bless us with a “Midnight in Harlem.”
From the start to finish of the set, I was in a dreamy haze of wonder. I’m not a musician myself, and this concert made me realize that there is a level of musical talent you have to be able to physically to fully appreciate. I’ve never seen someone’s fingers move the way Derek Truck’s did on strings of that guitar, and I was absolutely awestruck.
As Will Rebhahn ’26 predicted, Warren Haynes came back out for an epic jam sesh finale with the band. It felt like a big happy family reunion. And to top it all off, we got our “Midnight in Harlem” moment, and it was electric. “I danced my heart out with my favorite people in the world,” Olivia May said. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see two former members of the Allman Brothers jam together and it was f***ing awesome.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Olivia. My heart was so full after that concert, and I will treasure the memories of that beautiful Saratoga evening for a very, very long time. The moral of the story? Go see a concert with your music-savvy friends now, while you’re young and spry and have minimal responsibilities, ESPECIALLY if you haven’t got a clue who’s playing.