Deep Roots (Lorez Alexandria album)

Deep Roots is a 1962 studio album by American jazz vocalist Lorez Alexandria. Released on the Argo label (later Chess Records), the album is notable for its exploration of the blues tradition within a jazz framework. Alexandria's interpretations of classic blues songs and spirituals, coupled with arrangements that lean into the roots of the music, distinguish Deep Roots from some of her other, more straightforward jazz recordings. The album features accompaniment from a small ensemble, including arrangements that showcase both Alexandria's vocal delivery and the instrumentalists' ability to capture the feeling inherent in the blues genre. Tracks include traditional blues numbers and some gospel-infused selections, demonstrating Alexandria's versatility and her understanding of the cultural context of the music she was performing. Deep Roots is often cited as a significant entry in Alexandria's discography for its focus on the blues idiom.