The Root Downs are (from left) Brian Mahne, Dusty Simmons and Brian Mesko

A new phone transition and attendant technical difficulties had me shooting videos with no way to post them for a minute. We got that straightened out last week (thanks, RT IT!), so now the posting resumes in earnest.

Here we have The Root Downs — a funky soul-jazz trio featuring keyboardist Brian Mahne, guitarist Brian Mesko and drummer Dusty Ray Simmons — working last month at Blue 5 Restaurant. All of these guys play in a variety of bands, and all of those bands are mighty good, but The Root Downs is a favorite of mine (detect my bias toward B3-style jams). All three players get off here, playing the song for which they named the band, Jimmy Smith style. Root down and get it, boys.