The Roots debut new bassist

The Roots recently introduced their newest member, Mark Kelley, who is taking over for Owen Biddle who has been with the band since 2007.

Biddle is leaving the band to focus on his New York-based “art-jazz-rock-funk project” Mister Barrington, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Biddle joined the band in 2007 after then-bassist Leonard “Hub” Hubbard left. Kelley also plays cello and piano and previously performed with the Berklee College of Music’s All Star Quartet. The band debuted their new member earlier this month on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.”

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Monday, September 26, 2011 at 8:34 pm by jordan

Tags: the roots, The Roots new bassist, the roots news, the roots tickets, The Roots tour, the roots tour dates

The Roots Jam Session to be hosted by Jimmy Fallon

Everyone knows that in order to have a successful late night show, you need a great house band. Well, the Roots were kind enough to help out Jimmy Fallon, and he’s ready to return the favor.

This year, Fallon has agreed to host the Roots 17th annual “Roots Jam Session.” The event will be held on Feb. 12 in Hollywood, and like years past is sure to be chocked full of awesome music from the Roots and their guests.

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Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 8:30 pm by jordan

Tags: Grammy Awards, Jimmy Fallon, the roots, The Roots Jam Session, the roots news, the roots tickets, The Roots tour, the roots tour dates

The Roots ‘Wake Up’ to Grammy nominations

The Roots have earned a total of six Grammy nominations!

Five of the nods are a result of their duet album with John Legend, Wake Up! The categories are: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best R&B Album, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for the track “Shine.” In addition, the band garnered their a Best Rap Album nomination for their own How I Got Over.

Roots’ drummer, ?uestlove, was on fire at a Korean BBQ restaurant in Brooklyn when he got the nominations news from his business manager. Yes, you read that right…on fire! A little hot oil burned his hand, but the Grammy news “took the pain away.”

Hip hop in general is making a very strong showing at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. Check out the show on CBS, airing February 13, 2011, at 8pm. See the full list of nominees at Grammy.com.

Friday, December 3, 2010 at 1:52 pm by michelle

Tags: john legend, questlove, the roots, the roots news, wake up!

Roots partner with John Legend on “Wake Up!”

Hip-hop band The Roots teamed up with R&B crooner John Legend to create Wake Up!, an album released last month dedicated to activism and social change. It’s been more than two years in the making, thanks to Legend’s busy touring schedule and the Roots’ day job as house band for “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.”

Wake Up! includes several cover songs from iconic soul artists of the 1960s and 1970s like Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone  and Donny Hathaway, plus one original track. The full track list is available here.

 ”It is a covers record but it really doesn’t feel like a covers record at all,” said Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, the Roots leader who co-produced the album. “I guess certain music connoisseurs will know the cuts … they weren’t like, Billboard-charted hits. They were chosen for their message.”

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Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 2:03 pm by michelle

Tags: john legend, late night with jimmy fallon, the roots, the roots news, the roots releases, the roots tickets, the roots tour dates, wake up!

The Roots to headline Summer Spirit Festival

The fifth ever Summer Spirit Festival is back this summer with tons of amazing performances just outside of the nation’s capital. The Roots have signed up to be the headliner for the event!

The one-day festival is Saturday, Aug. 7 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and the event kicks off at 5 p.m. Other performers appearing include Erykah Badu, Common, Chuck Brown, B.O.B., and Janelle Monae.

Don’t miss you chance to see all these amazing artists perform live. Get The Roots tickets today!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 4:12 pm by jordan

Tags: B.O.B., Chuck Brown, Common, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, News, Summer Spirit festival, the roots, the roots tickets, The Roots tour, the roots tour dates

Introducing… The Roots

In 1987, Philadelphia natives The Roots hit the airwaves with their jazzy-electric approach to hip hop.  It wasn’t until their 1999 fourth studio release, “Things Fall Apart,” that they made it on to the Billboard 200, breaking into the Top 10.

Over the next ten years The Roots released a number of studio albums, developing a strong fan base.  In 2009, when they were offered a gig to perform as the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the band accepted.

After many member changes throughout the years and experiencing mild studio success, founding member Ahmir Thompson reflects, “It was just what we needed… Our live shows have gotten better, our songwriting has gotten better.  Over the last year we wrote, oh, about 900 songs.”

The Roots couldn’t be happier with the gig and Jimmy Fallon agrees, “They’ve got great comic timing, and my guests are as psyched to see The Roots as the audience is to see the guests.. it’s like they’re at a Roots concert. The show wouldn’t be what it is without them.”

Currently the band has a few scheduled shows for the month of June as rumors continue to circulate about the release date for their long awaited new album, “How I Got Over.”  It has been speculated to be released some time in 2010.

Keep checking back for more Roots news and if you get a chance, try to see them on Fallon’s show. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy Roots tickets to catch them on the road.

Monday, April 26, 2010 at 9:13 am by elizabeth

Tags: late night with jimmy fallon, the roots, the roots jimmy fallon, the roots news, the roots tickets, the roots tour dates