Tedeschi Trucks Band Plays UPMC Events Center; Mr. Smalls Hosts Rubblebucket (Wed., 3/22/23)

1) The Grammy Award-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band plays UPMC Events Center. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks are both bandmates and a married couple. They formed the band in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2010 after both had already tasted career success. Trucks was a member of the Allman Brothers for a number of years, fronted his own band, and worked on projects with many musicians, including Eric Clapton. He’s known as one of the guitar greats and was ranked No. 16 on Rolling Stone‘s list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2011. Before becoming a headliner of her own, Susan Tedeschi opened for top acts like B.B. King, Bob Dylan, and even the Allman Brothers (that’s how they met in 1999). Known for her pleasant vocals, she is a respected guitarist in her own right. The Tedeschi Trucks Band has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and won one in 2012 for the album Revelator. Before flying the banner of Tedeschi Trucks Band, the two collaborated in their previous band, Soul Stew Revival. Their soulful, blues-rock 12-piece band is a big reason for their success. Their latest LP release is 2022’s I Am the Moon. Opening is Myron Elkins. 7:30 p.m. 6001 University Blvd., RMU, Moon Township. 

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi have fun jamming together at an outdoor concert in 2014. photo: Michael F. O’Brien and Wikipedia.

2) Rubblebucket mixes indie, jazz, and psychedelic rock. The band started a dance party during its set at the 2016 Thrival Music Festival. The party culminated with the band parading through the audience during “Came Out of a Lady.” Alex Toth sat on one concert-goer’s shoulders while still playing the trumpet. Singer and saxophonist Annakalmia Traver then announced it was his birthday. Toth and the audience couldn’t have looked happier. Traver and Toth met at the University of Vermont as music majors; Rubblebucket, active since 2007, is based in Brooklyn, New York City. The band has played “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and NPR’s “Tiny Desk.” This year’s Earth Worship is the group’s latest album. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes to Mr. Smalls Theater.  Special guest is  Lunar Vacation. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (C.M./, R.H.)

Rubblebucket’s lead singer and saxophonist Annakalmia Traver performing near the front of the stage at the 2016 Thrival Music Festival. (photo: Rick Handler.)

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