I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned on Jimmy Fallon to hear the classic brass section blaring in the background as the band gets introduced as “the legendary Roots crew.” The Roots have been the house band for Jimmy Fallon since 2009 on “Late Night” and transitioned to the “Tonight Show” with him when he made the move earlier this year.

I’m so excited that on Saturday, instead of seeing The Roots on the TV screen, we’ll get to see them ON THE GLOBAL CITIZEN FESTIVAL STAGE.

The Roots have been epic long before they joined forces with Fallon. They’re a hop/neo soul band that started out in Philadelphia. They have a signature sound, bringing jazzy, electric beats into hip hop and have a powerful effect when joining that with live instruments.

The band’s leader, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, keeps things together with his drums, he has also been known to make an impact with his voice.

Like any Global Citizen, he is a big fan in furthering education. He understands the importance that education provides for children and that leaving 58 million out of that equation is wrong.

Although Questlove was fortunate enough to have attended a creative arts school, he’s witnessed the problems with the education system domestically stating, "Success starts from the top, and our school system needs a complete retooling."

But this band is certainly spreading their philanthropic roots internationally by headlining Saturday in support of the movement to end extreme poverty globally. I for one - and I know I’m not alone - cannot wait to hear them make their mark at the Festival.

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Alex Vinci