Tedeschi Trucks Band to rock the Bessborough Gardens

The Tedeschi Trucks Band is headlining the mainstage tonight at the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.

Derek Trucks is the guitarist and co-founderof the Tedeschi Trucks Band.

He's best known for his slide guitar style and has beencalled one of the greatest guitar players of all time byRolling Stone magazine. He's been around the world, but it's his first time playing in Saskatoon.

Trucks spoke with Saskatoon Morning host Leisha Grebinski in advance of the show.

An early start

Trucks has played tocrowds since he was a pre-teen.

"The excitement of travelling and getting to play music and just being different places was as intoxicating as playing music at that point."

Early exposure to the musicscene enabledTrucks to learn from a variety of other musicians.

"A lot of my growth was really being around the right people at the right time and being open to it."

The guitarist said he didn't encounter the challengesthat can arise after an early introduction to the industry.

"There's all kinds of things that are wide open to you when you're in this scene," he said, addinghe limited his indulgences to"just a toe in the water, here and there."

Trucks said a combination of supportive people and his nature have helpedhim avoid the negative side of the business while continuing to make music.

The evolution of sound

The musician's earliest memories of guitarare when he and his brother would listen to hisfather's blues-oriented vinyl collection.

It was the only thing interesting and I had a five dollar bill burning a hole in my pocket.-Derek Trucks

"That music was always there and felt important."

Trucks didn't pick up a guitaruntil he came across one at a garage sale.

"It was the only thing interesting and I had a five dollar bill burning a hole in my pocket."

Decades later, he's since developed a personal style and oftenforgoes the pick in favour of a slide.

Recently while in Japan, heparticipated in a video interview and the musician said the intervieweewanted him to explain his technique.

"I remember looking down at my right hand, 'cause I never look at it it just kind of happens and then I realized I had no idea what was going on. Icouldn'texplain it."

Sunday night in Saskatoon

Trucks' wife, Susan Tedeschi, joins him on stage. The two put their solo projects aside to focus on this band.

"I've been on the road for a long time and been a part of some really amazing groups, but I've never been in a band quite like this," Trucks said.

Bass player Tim Lefebvre is the newest addition.He notably played on the late David Bowie's last album. Trucks described flutist and keyboard player Kofi Burbridge as a "musical genius" and the "secret weapon of the band."

The 12-pieceTedeschi Trucks Band plays at9 p.m. CST.