The 15th season of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College performing arts series kicks off this weekend with Bajan musicians Arturo Tappin and Allison Hinds. Tappin is a smooth jazz and jazz/reggae saxophonist who has played with many recording artistes including Luther Vandross, Eddie Grant, the Wailer Band, Toots, Third World, Maxi Priest, and Dean Frasier. He is based in New York, but is strongly linked to his homeland Barbados. Tappin is referred to as a cross between Teddy Pendergrass and Kenny G. He is also referred to as the smoothest, ‘saxies’t horn man the Caribbean has to offer.

Allison Hinds, on the other hand is one of the most popular soca singers in the world. She has officially been given the nickname the “Queen of Soca.” Allison has topped charts even in countries in which soca is not a popular musical form. She was born in London and moved with her mother to her hometown in Barbados at the age 11. Allison produced her first hit in 1996 with “Raggamuffin,” a song with which she won that year’s road march in the Crop Over festival. In 1997, one of her songs once again won the road march prize as well as the party monarch award. She was the first woman to win these titles in Barbados.

Tappin performs on Friday evening, while Hinds takes the stage Saturday.   

For more go to http://www.bvinews.com/entertainment/8024.html