The Rootz Equation

is a 4-piece band with a unique mix of reggae-infused party music and traditional roots based Caribbean tunes. RootzEQ formed as a collaboration between guitarist/vocalist John Boyd and keys player Clay Ames. John was a grad student at UVa in Charlottesville where he was playing with the The Charlatones. Anticipating a move to the Tidewater area, he posted an ad on Craigslist looking for fellow musicians with like interests. Clay answered the ad, and they hit it off right away. Clay has played keys in several local bands over the last 10 years including Irievive, Lost Souls Society, and Livelyhoodz. Clay invited in veteran bassist Chuck Laney to join. While Chuck’s previous background was in R&B, funk, and rock, he quickly took to the unique style of playing required by the reggae groove. After auditioning several drummers, local veteran Kurt Patterson completed the line-up. Kurt is most well known as the percussionist for the successful local band Strange Rootz. The combination of Chuck and Kurt gives RootzEQ the rock-solid rhythm section that allows the band to create its unique interpretation of modern hits.