An Interview with the Missouri Band, Jah Roots

The Missouri based band Jah Roots is a breath of fresh air to the reggae genre. While I have followed the band for over a year it wasn't until July 14^th that I had an opportunity to not only see them perform live, but also to sit down and talk with them about their music, the band, and the bond of friendship that adds to the unique sound the band produces.

Reggae as a genre is sometimes overlooked in the United States but Jah Roots is a band that could change that. The sound that the band delivers is a unique blend of traditional reggae with strong undertones of rock, jazz, hip hop, ska, and folk and because of that blend, the fans are a blended bunch as well.

As we waited for the band ( Josh Nail/percussion, Eric Groves/drums, Mike Hulsey/Lead guitar/keyboards, Ras Josh/ vocals/guitar, I-Ron/vocals, Stephen Washburn/bass, and Phil Quidort/horns) to take the stage, I watched the outdoor amphitheatre begin to fill with a true melting pot of fans. I had watched several other bands perform that day and the change in the crowd when it came time for Jah Roots to perform was remarkable. From 5 year old children to bikers in full leather and even cowboys with snake skin boots, The Jah Roots fans crossed into every stereotyped group I could think of. The Fans in the crowd had come from all over the world to Tulsa Oklahoma simply to see Jah Roots perform; the young couple seated next to us was from the United Kingdom.

As Jah Roots took the stage the crowd came alive, and they stayed that way. By the end of the set the fans were chanting "one more song" and dancing on the stage. Jah Roots truly connects with an audience like no other band I've ever seen.

The set was amazing and electrifying and Jah Roots is truly one of the few bands that are better live than in studio. A Jah Roots live performance is more than a concert, it's an experience not soon forgotten.