During some downtime between Tedeschi Trucks Band tours, Florida residents Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi dropped by the the annual Sacred Steel Summit, hosted by Alvin Lee of The Lee Boys in partnership with the Florida Folk Festival.

Now in it its third year, the Sacred Steel Summit brings together the living legends of Sacred Steel music to honor the style’s deep roots, continued vibrancy, and ongoing legacy. That mission is an extended family effort: While he was not in attendance himself, celebrated player and former Lee Boys member Roosevelt Collier (Jelly Roll, Trouble No More), Alvin Lee’s nephew, put in a call to personally invite Trucks and Tedeschi to join in.

The high-profile husband-and-wife duo, who are longtime students of the Sacred Steel tradition, made the drive to join in on the Summit out of respect for the community’s most legendary figures. This year’s Summit also included a ceremony for the 2023 inductees into the Sacred Sacred Steel Hall of Fame inductees for 2023, Brian Byrd (The Lee Boys), Shawn Hickman, and David Fonville.

Joining Sacred Steel icons Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cooke, Ted Beard, Chuck Campbell, and more on the Folk Festival’s intimate Old Marble Stage, the husband-and-wife duo—who were married by Ghent more than 20 years ago—added some joyful noise to the free-form gospel jam with their extended appearance. Derek, on his trusty Gibson SG, laid down slide solos and traded riffs with the steel guitar consortium. Susan delivered an impassioned vocal rendition of “Amazing Grace” and more before letting the holy spirit wash over her, stomping and singing along to the sacred sounds and celebration surrounding her.

Scroll down to check out a compilation of photos and videos from Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi’s surprise appearance at the third annual Sacred Steel Summit.

Related: The Garden Parties: Tedeschi Trucks Band Plots TD Garden & Madison Square Garden Shows

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are due to hit the road with Tedeschi Trucks Band for a lengthy summer tour beginning next month. For a complete list of the band’s upcoming shows, head here.

Sacred Steel Summit w/ Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi – Florida Folk Festival – 5/27/23

[Video: grassflats2]

Sacred Steel Summit w/ Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi – Florida Folk Festival – 5/27/23

[Video: Derrick Lee]