Susan Tedeschi

Tedeschi’s breakthrough came with her sophomore disc, Just Won’t Burn, which despite the title caught fire with blues fans, prompting numerous Bonnie Raitt comparisons and a Grammy nod in 2000. The followup, last year’s Wait for Me, picked up another nomination and, more important, showed significant improvement in her arrangements, adding a healthy touch of soul, pop, and old-school R&B. Tedeschi never strays far from her roadhouse roots—for better or worse, her growly, no-nonsense vocal delivery has its limits and works best on belting the blues. But she’s kept getting better year after year, and we’re guessing she hasn’t yet hit her peak. O’Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, (651) 690-6700, http://www.stkate.edu/oshaughnessy