The Roots Throw Free Holiday Jam, Questlove Speaks On New TV Gig

The Roots are getting into the holiday spirit tonight (12/18) by throwing a free concert in New York City’s B.B. King Blues Club.

Dubbed the “Okayplayer Holiday Jammy,” the show will kick off later on today at 10 p.m. with opening spots by DJ Soul and Brooklyn group, Tanya Morgan. Fans interested in attending should RSVP to holiday@frank151.com.

In related news, Roots leader Questlove recently spoke to UK radio personality DJ Semtex about the group’s announcement to retire from the road.

“There’s an opportunity that presented itself that we felt, for us, we couldn’t refuse,” he told Semtex. “Basically it enables us to be at home with our families, and you know we work for a very little time, we won’t go down in our finances. We’re like the blue collar hip-hop group and I think after 17 years of just constantly living on the road it time for a new experience.”

That new opportunity is being the house band for Jimmy Fallon when he takes over Late Night With Conan O’Brien. Questlove said the main reason he decided to take the gig is because of the freedom they are giving the band.

“Part of the attraction to doing this venture was the fact that we kinda get to do different things musically on the show that probably your other late night band wouldn’t get into,” he explained.

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon is scheduled to debut in March 2009 on NBC. –Elan Mancini