Root Valdez

Root Valdez mixes groove and improvisational-oriented music with electronic styles such as dub, drum, and bass. They are best described as ambient rock. Root Valdez consists of members, Christopher “Root” Heinz on drums, keys and bass, with Fred “Valdez” Gerantabee, formerly of the acid-jazz outfit QB3. After a year of collaboration, the two hooked up with Leslie Graves, an Ohio native whose ethereal style and approach is reminiscent of trip-hop/crossover staples such as Beth Gibbons and Beth Orton. The group’s new album, Mycelia, is at times sweeping and other worldly, with hints of jazz, down tempo and folk. Mycelia features guest performances by renowned cellist Jami Sieber, bassist Michael Pearce, sax and flute by Nick Gianni and sitar by Joshua Hajicek.

Opening Band: Contramano