Stanley Roots
Roots reggae and rock steady are the bread and butter of Stanley Roots, a local reggae artist who plays music at various locations on Providenciales. He is self-taught and has been performing music since the 1980s.
Roots has had an international career. He has performed alongside major artists like Alicia Keys, John Legend, Jimmy Cliff, and LL Cool J, and once performed for former American First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
About the Artist
Born on Grand Turk, Roots developed his love of music as a choir singer at Salem Baptist Church. While he plays drums and bass, his instrument of choice is the rhythm guitar he uses to pick and strum groovy reggae, gospel, and rock tracks.
In 2006, he released his own album, Colours of One. The album debuted at the 2007 Turks and Caicos Music Festival that was held in Turtle Cove, Providenciales. It features a range of upbeat reggae tracks reminiscent of the musical stylings of artists like Bob Marley (his biggest musical inspiration), Jimmy Cliff, The Wailers, and Sanchez. It also includes one head-bopping rock track, Live for Today.
In 2019, Roots released another album called Fire & Brimstone. It features reggae and gospel tunes as well as a tropical rock track called Sunset TCI.
These days, Roots plays rhythms of varying genres on his six-string guitar for audiences at restaurants around the island—typically, while wearing his trademark shades and crocheted cap. He’s currently working on a new single.
Where Stanley Roots Performs
At a Stanley Roots performance, it’s easy to hear the influence that reggae, rock, and gospel music has had on him. Roots frequently performs reggae from his own albums, as well as hits from artists like Sting, Lionel Richie, and Neil Diamond, at his shows.
You can catch his one-man show at the Castaways Conch Bar & Island Grill in central Grace Bay and Omar’s Beach Hut in Five Cays.