New Bassist For The Roots

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that bassist Owen Biddle is leaving The Roots to focus on his New York-based “art-jazz-rock-funk project” Mister Barrington. The newspaper says the information came from The Roots’ band manger Richard Nichols.

Biddle began touring with The Roots in 2007, replacing bassist Leonard “Hub” Hubbard. In addition to playing the bass on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” Biddle has shown off his acting skills by portraying both himself and his own fictional really drunk wife named Renee on the recurring sketch “The Real Housewives of Late Night.” Before touring with The Roots, Biddle helped produce the band’s 2006 album Game Theory.

Mark Kelley, who also plays cello and piano, will now take over on the bass. He previously performed with the Berklee College of Music’s All Star Quartet.

Kelley will make his debut with The Roots on Monday’s episode of “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.” The show was on hiatus last week while Fallon was on vacation. Monday’s guests include The Cars, Robert Duvall and Emmanuelle Chriqui.

Click here for the story from the Philadelphia Inquirer.