The Roots
The 2010 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival presents
Monday, June 28
8pm
Pantages Playhouse Theatre
The Roots are the influential and critically acclaimed Philadelphia-based band described by Rolling Stone as “one of the greatest live acts in the world” and by the Boston Globe as the “greatest hip-hop band in the land.” The band has paved the way for live instrumental rap and has won numerous awards for its eclectic jazz-influenced approach to hip hop, including two Grammys and a 2007 NAACP Image Award.
Since their debut album Organix in 1993, The Roots have developed a diverse fan base and have played such notable venues and festivals as NYC’s Radio City Music Hall, Lollapalooza, Montreux Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Theater, performing over 200 shows annually. Illadelph Halflife, the follow-up to the band’s first major-label release, Do You Want More?!!!??!, reached the Top 40 on Billboard’s album chart, and their single “Clones” reached the top five on the rap charts. Their 1999 release Things Fall Apart reached No. 4 on the Billboard chart and 2004’s The Tipping Point debuted in the same position.
The Roots have hosted the highly anticipated Jam Session, which takes place each year the evening before the Grammys. Their music has been heard in numerous television shows, video games and movies including Entourage, Project Gotham Racing 4, and Superbad.
The Roots’ lineup includes original members rapper/MC Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who met in 1987 and were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. They later added Owen Biddle (bass), James “Kamal” Gray (keyboards), Frank “Knuckles” Walker (percussion), Kirk “Captain Kirk” Douglas (guitar) and Damon “Tuba Gooding Jr.” Bryson (saxophone).
Last spring, The Roots made headlines when they accepted the job as house band on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Since then, they have re-energized late-night TV, performing with such diverse acts as Paul Simon, Public Enemy, and fellow festival performer Christian Scott.
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Tickets are $58.00 (plus agency fees) and are available online at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/artist/1435724
Tickets are also available by phone at 780-3333 and in person at the Jazz Winnipeg office (007-100 Arthur St.) or any Ticketmaster outlet.
