The Roots have come a long way since their legendary album Things Fall Apart, featuring their hit You Got Me, rocked the Billboard charts. Sixteen years later, the Philadelphia hip-hop group has managed to become a household name as the house band for Jimmy Fallon, and have experimented with other sounds including jazz,while still garnering respect from hip-hop purists.
The Roots recently brought their eclectic sound to the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. Black Thought and Questlove took us on a musical journey like no one else can. They moved fluently from hip-hop to jazz to rock, weaving these styles into one cohesive set. What stood out is how much they love music and performing. Aside from maybe Black Thought himself, sousaphone player Damon “Tuba Gooding Jr.” Bryson and guitarist “Captain” Kirk Douglas were having the most fun out of the thousands in attendance.
If you missed the show check out our photographs above.
(Photo credit: Kevin Bourne)