Friday, November 20 2009

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Arturo Tappin...

CELEBRATED Caribbean saxophonist Arturo Tappin will be the headline act when the Blue Range presents its first Jazz on the Range concert tomorrow from 6 pm at Blue Range Park, Diego Martin. Tickets cost $175.

Described as “the smoothest, sexiest horn man the Caribbean has to offer”, in recent years Arturo has been busy kicking his solo career into high gear with his roots reggae-jazz fusion. His dynamic live performances and charismatic idiosyncrasies on stage have been the reason why he is known throughout the region as the musician’s musician.

His first album, Strictly Roots Jazz, was recorded in 1994 during a three-day jam session with friend and music wizard Dennis Bovell (along with Bovell’s “Duh Band”) while on tour to London. Shortly after this he recorded his second album Java, both of which are licensed to Pioneer Records in Japan thanks to Dermott Hussey.

The release of these two albums in combination with his reputation for putting on explosive shows led him to Perform at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Soho Jazz Festival, Miami AT&T Caribbean Jazz Festival, St Lucia, Antigua, Curacao, St Vincent, Grenada and Barbados Jazz Festivals. He also appeared at the Stockholm Water Festival in Sweden, Pan Ramajay right here in TT, the Bahamas Musik Festival, St Kitts Music Festival, Bob Marley Birthday Bash (Negril and Kingston), Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, Montego Bay Jazz and Heritage Festival and Miami Reggae Festival. The Barbadian-born musician has played and/or recorded with many major artistes and groups including Red Rodney, Milt Hinton, Monty Alexander, Ernest Ranglin, Jacky Terrason, Roberta Flack, Courtney Pine, Al Harewood, Roy Haynes, Ellis Marsalis, Oliver Jones, Doc Cheatam, Pete King, Mutaburaka, The Wailers Band, Third World, Mikey Bennett, Dennis Bovell, Jazz Jamaica, Sandra Cross, Gary Crosby, Eddy Grant, Panazz, Robbie Greenidge, Luther Francois, Bongo Herman, U Roy and Dean Frasier.

The evening will also feature other artistes: The Sean Thomas Quintet, The group “Rafael” with Russel Durity, Gerald (Slam) Charles, Mervyn de Gannes, Ralph Davies, Errol Ince, Dougie Redon, as well as others including Frenz in Muzik and Dean Williams.