LIVE: Tedeschi Trucks Band Delivers Powerhouse Performance at CMAC, Ziggy Marley the Perfect Opener

At the Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) on Tuesday, July 11th, a packed house and lawn were ready for rising performances from members of musical royalty. The Tedeschi Trucks Band, and opener Ziggy Marley, showcased their talents full force and took everyone ‘higher.’ 

Beginning with a slow-burning version of Joe Cocker’s “Woman to Woman,” Derek Trucks led the Tedeschi Trucks Band into a set that would be full of fire. Captivating and lulling the audience into building the foundation for Susan Tedeschi’s stunning vocals, the 12-piece band featuring Derek Trucks (guitar), Mike Mattison (guitar, vocals), Gabe Dixon (keys, vocals), Brandon Boone (bass), Tyler Greenwell (drums, percussion), Isaac Eady (drums, percussion), Mark Rivers (vocals), Alecia Chakour (vocals), Kebbi Williams (saxophone), Ephraim Owens (trumpet), and Elizabeth Lea (trombone), was in top form throughout the two-hour-long set. 

Everyone had shining moments of musical brilliance. Tedeschi led the way with her powerful vocal range and soulful expression. She possesses the rare ability to infuse each lyric with an incredible amount of emotion and soul, whether she’s belting mid-set tunes like “Yes We Will” or floating her voice like a feather across the crowd during quieter numbers, as she did on a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” Tedeschi also reminded everyone how great of a guitar player she is while bending a vibrant tapestry of tunes on her Les Paul and 1970 Fender Stratocaster.

Derek Trucks’ masterful guitar playing was on full display, each note and riff ringing out with precision and passion. Trucks expertly weaved his Gibson SG Standard through every nook and cranny of the set, culminating in a blazing, epic execution of Jeff Beck’s “Beck’s Bolero” to close out the set. Trucks sang through his fingers, and that voice let everyone at CMAC know they were hearing one of the greatest guitarists alive.

Tedeschi’s and Trucks’ onstage connection was palpable – they looked at each other with beaming smiles, filling the crowd with the warmth of their shared love and passion for music. Watching them play together was a treat for the senses; it was clear that they were having a lot of fun and enjoying every moment of their time on stage together. Their chemistry was undeniable.

The rest of the ensemble took turns throughout the night being bright shining stars of sonic and aural mastery. Mike Mattison and Alecia Chakour delivered awe-inspiring performances on vocals. Mattison sang a fervent lead on several songs throughout the night, with a main highlight being a cover of Dr. John’s “Walk On Guilded Splinters.” Chakour had audience members cheering her every solo as she hit them with bombastic vocals all night. Gabe Dixon sang beautifully in the lead on “Gravity” and “I am the Moon” while keeping the groove on keys, and the brass section filled out the sound in a fun, funky way. Saxophonist Kebbi Williams had a dozen electrifying solos that made the audience dance and wheel in their seats.

Overall, the setlist was exhilarating and rousing and adeptly incorporated a mosaic of rock, blues, and soul. The thrilling night closed with an encore that featured Ziggy Marley and his band, creating a powerful collaboration for a fusion of Sly & the Family Stone classics, “Sing a Simple Song,” right into “I Want to Take You Higher.” The crowd felt that high and would’ve happily stayed for more.

Ziggy Marley charmed and primed the audience with his onstage charisma and a captivating setlist, which included tunes like “Wild and Free,” “See Dem Fake Leaders,” and “Love Is My Religion.” Ziggy even paid tribute to his father, Bob Marley, with a medley of songs that included “Get Up, Stand Up” and “War.” The people under the pavilion roof fell even more under the spell during the old man’s “Is This Love” when Ziggy sang the lyrics:

We’ll be together
With a roof right over our heads”

Marley and his band ignited the atmosphere right from the start and never cooled down for a second during their entire emotionally powerful set. The night and crowd were instantly warmed by the infectious energy Marley exuded. The crowd eagerly swayed to the rhythms of his reggae-infused melodies, their spirits lifted by the uplifting messages embedded in his lyrics. Ziggy’s stage presence was magnetic as he effortlessly connected with his audience, his infectious smile spreading joy throughout the venue. His captivating performance and the heartfelt resonance of his songs left a lasting impression, making it a night to remember for all who were lucky enough to witness Ziggy Marley in action. 

The Tedeschi Trucks Band and Ziggy Marley’s performances at CMAC, presented by Brooklyn Made Presents, made for an unforgettable night of music from the legendary family tree of soul. The combination of instrumental virtuosity, vocal prowess, and passionate playing created an enthralling atmosphere, and the setting and acoustics of CMAC proved to be once again the perfect complementary venue for such talents and such a night. 

Tedeschi Trucks Band Setlist: “Woman to Woman” (Joe Cocker cover), “Anyhow”, “Do I Look Worried”, “I am the Moon”, “Gravity, Everybody’s Got to Change Sometime” (Taj Mahal cover), “Learn How to Love, Keep On Smilin'” (Wet Willie cover), “I Wish I Knew” (Billy Taylor cover), “Yes We Will”, “Midnight In Harlem”, “I Walk On Guilded Splinters” (Dr. John cover), “Part of Me, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” (Bob Dylan cover), “I Want More”, and “Beck’s Bolero” (Jeff Beck cover). The encore featured I “Can’t Make You Love Me” (Mike Reid cover), “Sing a Simple Song” (Sly & the Family Stone cover, with Ziggy Marley and his band) > “I Want to Take You Higher” (Sly & the Family Stone cover, with Ziggy Marley and his band).

Ziggy Marley Setlist: “Rebellion Rises”, “Be Free”, “Personal Revolution”, “Wild and Free”, “Beach in Hawaii”, “Lucky One”, “Circle of Peace”, “See Dem Fake Leaders”, “Justice”/”Get Up, Stand Up” (Bob Marley cover)/”War” (Bob Marley cover) medley, “We are the People”, “Love Is My Religion”, “Is This Love” (Bob Marley cover), “Look Who’s Dancing”

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