A report by Toni-Ann K. McKenzie for the Cayman Reporter.

Arturo Tappin might be considered the smoothest, ‘saxiest’ horn man the Caribbean has to offer. His dynamic and spirited live performances have won him fans the world over.

He described 2015 as his best year ever. His new band -ArturoTappin; comprised of top young talented singers and musicians coming out of Barbados has developed a show that has taken them to every major festival. This year, he played for the launch of the St. Lucia jazz and arts festival and will be headlining Tobago Jazz Experience. He has also been booked for several more festivals, including the Scotland Fringe Festival

Mr Tappin first made headway with his debut recording, “Strictly Roots Jazz” which was then immediately followed up with a stellar performance on his second album entitled, “Java”, both licensed by Pioneer Records in Japan. For his cultural contributions to Jamaica and the Caribbean on the whole, Arturo received a nationally acclaimed Award of Excellence in the Arts from former Jamaican Prime Minister, PJ Patterson.

Tappin has dazzled audiences at the Soho Jazz Festival, the Bob Marley Birthday Bash and Reggae Sunsplash, as well as headlining Jazz Festivals throughout the Caribbean.

He has performed with the legendary Roberta Flack, Hard Bop Trumpeter Red Rodney, Grammy Award winning drummer Roy Haynes, Reggae Super Star Maxi Priest, R & B chart topper Anita Baker, Jamaican Jazz pianist and Guitarist Monty Alexander and Ernest Ranglin, South African Jazz Legend Hugh Masekela, Smooth Jazz Crooner, Will Downing and R & B singer Freddie Jackson.

Besides touring Arturo has served as the Musical Director for Eddy Grant as well as recorded with Grammy recipients Laylah Hathaway, Ralph MacDonald, and the late great Luther Vandross.

Arturo has had the privilege of playing for two American Presidents. President Bill Clinton at the Governor General’s residence in Barbados and recently at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago for President Barack Obama. He has also performed for Cuba’s President Fidel Castro, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and at a Duke of Edinburgh Black Tie Dinner, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn.

His CD, ‘INSIDE OUT’ conjures up feelings of pleasure and intrigue. The album features ten original compositions, all of which exquisitely display a superb blend of mesmerising melodies and deliciously deep penetrating grooves, encouraging the listener to hold on with anticipation. “Mia Amor”, “Smell your Own Finger” and “Life” are just a few of the originals included on the album that demonstrate his natural musical dexterity. “INSIDE OUT” also includes brilliantly crafted covers of “Unfaithful” and “Tempted to Touch” originally recorded by fellow Barbadians Rihanna and Rupee, are a testimony of Arturo’s reverence to his homeland.

“Hello” is the title of his latest cd made up of Soca sax remixes of crop over hits which were produced along with Song writer/Producer/ Steel Pannist, Terry “Mexican” Arthur and Engineer/Producer, Deepu Panjwani. When asked what his future plans are in music he simply responded, “Listen, practice, play, record and continue to mentor the next generation of young musicians.”

This Friday at the 2016 Allure Fashion and Jazz Weekend, Arturo Tappin performs the sweet sounds of his saxophone. Doors open at 5:30PM and the show starts at 6:30PM; Swanky Kitchen Band opens the event.

On Saturday, 5 November, The Allure Fashion Show takes place at 7:30PM.  All events will be at the National Gallery.  Tickets are still available at Carey’s Karma Closet, Rock Gorgeous, Arabus and Sand Angels.