Susan Tedeschi July 22, 2007

Susan Tedeschi ~ "I think it's important to keep learning and trying new things, no matter how old you are or how many records you've done," says Susan Tedeschi. "A lot of times, people will find something that works for them and just stick with that. But you have to keep an open mind and stay open to new situations."

In the years since she captured the public's musical imagination with her 1998 breakthrough album Just Won't Burn, the multi-talented musician has established a formidable reputation as a deeply expressive singer, a prodigiously talented guitarist and distinctive songwriter. She's won a large and loyal audience for her ability to craft elements of classic blues, rock, R&B, folk and gospel into a distinctly individual style that honors rootsy musical traditions without being subservient to them.

It's been four years since this jazz/soul/funk trio brought its upbeat instrumental grooves to High Sierra. From a jam session in a home studio in Woodstock, NY in 1999, Soulive cut their first record and just one year later signed with prestigious jazz label Blue Note. Their next two studio albums featured an impressive and varied array of special guests including Fred Wesley (of James Brown's band), Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli and Black Thought (The Roots). With retro instruments (guitar, drums, and Hammond B3 organ, Fender Rhodes and clavinet), heavy bass, contagious melodies and a vintage yet fresh sound, Soulive quickly developed a loyal fan base and prolific touring career. They went on to complete five national tours, open for The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, The Roots and India.Arie, play jazz festivals including the Monterey Jazz Festival, and sell out shows in Japan and Europe. While gaining recognition in the jazz/funk scene, the band also pursued different musicals directions in its recordings and performances, broadening its style to incorporate elements of hip-hop and R&B. In 2005, after leaving Blue Note and signing with rising jazz label Concord Records, Soulive released Break Out which featured beat-driven instrumentals and inspired collaborations with Chaka Khan, Ivan Neville, Robert Randolph, Reggie Watts and others, plus a new version of the "Soulive horns." No matter what direction they take, Soulive remains true to its original mission: bring jazz back to the dance floor.

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