About

Dreamroot is a band/musical collective from Durham NC. The performance style combines pre-written and improvised sections, creating what Indy Week calls "One of the distinctive strains of the Durham jazz scene, melding R&B forms with modern jazz solos that all fit nicely into the length of a longish pop song." Dreamroot released their debut album Phases in May of 2020, hoping to put out positive energy during a dark time. The album Phases was collectively composed and arranged by the members of Dreamroot.  

Dreamroot has performed at venues and festivals across the east coast and has had appearances on PBS. The band consists of Theous Jones (drums), Ittai Korman (acoustic and electric bass), Lynn Grissett (trumpet) and Joe MacPhail (piano and keyboards).

ittai korman

Ittai Korman

Ittai Korman is an upright and electric bassist as well as a music educator at Kidznotes and Dr. Bass Studios. Kidznotes is a music for social change program based on the El Sistema model of youth orchestras, originally developed in Venezuela. Born and raised in New York City, he currently lives in Durham, NC where the members of Dreamroot met and came together to form the band. His mother is a contemporary classical pianist and he grew up listening to many different styles of music and he continues to incorporate these influences and genres into his music. Battling with chronic illness for a decade, music is his medicine.

Theous Jones

They say that music is the language of the soul, and nothing could be truer for this Musician. An inspirational artist, Theous Terryel Jones has earned his reputation as a talented drummer, educator, clinician, and skillful performer. From live gigs to studio sessions and more, Theous continues to touch fans around the world with his distinct and enjoyable musical style. 

lynn Grissett

Lynn Grissett

A formally educated professional musician, Lynn J. Grissett Jr. is a truly dedicated artist. A member of the New Power Generation Hornz, the horn section of the band New Power Generation (NPG) once led by the late great musical genius Prince, Lynn has performed around the world as both a solo artist and as part of elite level ensembles. His trumpet can be heard on the following recordings: Prince: Hit N Run Phase One & Two (2015) Liv Warfield: The Unexpected (2014) Judith Hill: Back In Time (2015) Grammy Nominated: (Mint Condition: Healing Season (2015).