In the wake of Whitney Houston’s death Saturday afternoon, all my expectations about the Roots‘ annual pre-Grammys Jam Session — held for its eighth edition at House of Blues Sunset Strip the night before the 54th awards ceremony at Staples Center — suddenly came into question.
The Roots are known for their genre-spanning, inconceivably tight and star-studded showcases where they time and again prove adept at handling any tune. But would tragedy dampen the mood, turning what might have been February’s biggest hip-hop party into a somber tribute?
I was still wondering that upon arrival as I read the message on the venue’s marquee: “Thanks 4 the Music Whitney.” But when the Roots, bolstered this time by two extra keyboardists, took the stage nearly half past 11 p.m., followed by a slew of guests of varying fame, it quickly became clear the event would retain its celebratory tone — both of the imminent ceremony and (briefly) of Houston’s career.
