Native Root is, "a dimension where the spoken word merges with tunes which embrace life's new beginnings." Reno Gazette Journal 7/25/06. “Native Root's sound is a veritable witch's brew of styles, but Dave Kellers, Art Hafen, Matt Burke, Kevin Thomas, Scott Rouse and Zack Hatjackes hold together their sonic meld of jazz, hip-hop, soul and you-name-it, inspiring brazen dance-floor antics.” Reno News and Review April, 2005.
NR is a 6 piece ensemble with high energy live performances that keep people moving, incorporating everything from brass instruments
(bari/tenor/alto sax and bass/tenor trombone) to keys (b3 organ/keyboard), guitar and your anything but typical rhythm section, to create a full stage of funk with a jam band blues root that keeps the energy up from start to finish. When you add the socially conscious, poetic hip hop and soul melodies of front man Burke, you have an out of the box genre, for an in the pocket groove....good for body, mind and spirit.
