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MEDIA
CONTACT:
Carleen Donovan/ Rachel Gomez
Press Here - (212) 246-2640
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LOS
ANGELES (January 24, 2011) – Every year, award season brings the
usual array of star-studded parties, but rarely do any of these become
a celebrated institution. The Legendary Roots Crew,
named one of the greatest live bands around by both Spin and
Rolling Stone, have created the ticket to one of the most coveted
and exclusive experiences of the season; delivering an innovative and
unforgettable mix of musicians performing under one roof. Returning
on the eve of the GRAMMY Awards, the 7th annual ROOTS
JAM SESSION is back on February 12th. Jimmy Fallon
will act as this year’s host, following in the footsteps of Don
Cheadle, John Legend, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Dave Chappelle,
while Hennessy Artistry will serve as presenting partner.
The announcement comes on the heels of The Roots’ 6 GRAMMY
nominations, which are split between their two 2010 releases,
Wake Up! (with John Legend) and How I Got Over.
“We’re extremely proud and humbled that what began as a
simple night to put the focus back on the music has become an amazing
opportunity to unite both major artists and new talent in an impromptu
musical collaboration unlike many other experiences in the industry
today, while also providing a voice to some extremely worthwhile cause
campaigns” said the Grammy-Award winning groups’ co-founder
turned twitter celeb, Ahmir
“?uestlove” Thompson
With an audience packed full of musicians and talent from every area
of the entertainment industry, THE ROOTS JAM SESSION
is a night where legendary mash-ups and groundbreaking music is created.
It is consistently praised as a truly unique evening where artists become
fans and the performances and impromptu jams turn the night into a celebration
of music. Past performers and attendees that reads like a “who’s
who” of the entertainment world: Jay Z, Nora Jones, CeeLo,
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Slash, Black Eyed Peas, Fall Out Boy, Mos Def,
Beyoncè, Queen Latifah, Bill Maher, Snoop Dog, Matisyahu, Anita
Baker, Queens of the Stone Age, K’naan, Corinne Bailey Rae, Elizabeth
Banks, John Mayer, Chelsea Handler, Travis Barker and
Prince.
In addition to the performances, however, THE ROOTS JAM SESSION is annually
interwoven with themes of social awareness, partnering with top organizations
dedicated to creating global change. The goal is to entertain but also
to utilize the power of its high-profile attendees to make an impact
and educate audiences outside of the Jam. The Roots Jam Session has
previously partnered with organizations from Save Darfur &
Green Music Group to Rock the Vote. This year’s
cause partner is OpportunityNation.
Launching at the 2011 Jam, the organization will focus on the revitalization
of the “American Dream” - in short, a campaign, powered
by the people, to kick-start a nationwide conversation about opportunity
while providing forums for those voices to be heard.
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About
‘The Roots Jam
Session’
The Roots Jam Session, occurring annually the night before the Grammys,
has become an industry staple through the years and has become one
of the most anticipated experiences of award season. Having been covered
in everything from The Washington Post to People Magazine,
the annual Jam is produced by Kevin Seldon of Keldof
Marketing and Tina Farris of Tina Farris Tours.
The Roots are Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson (drums),
Kamal Gray (keyboards), Kirk “Captain
Kirk” Douglas (guitar) , Owen Biddle (bass),
Frank Knuckles (percussion), Damon “Tuba Gooding”
Bryson (sousaphone), and Tarik “Black Thought”
Trotter (emcee).
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