Arturo is definitely the smoothest, saxiest horn man the Caribbean has to offer. His dynamic and spirited live performances have won him fans the world over. He made headway with his debut recording Strictly Roots Jazz and then immediately followed up with a stellar performance on his second album, 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 P. J. 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 superstar Maxi Priest, R&B chart-topper Anita Baker, Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander, guitarist Ernest Ranglin, South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela, smooth jazz crooner Will Downing and R&B singer Freddie Jackson. Besides touring, Arturo served as musical director for Eddy Grant and recorded with Grammy recipients Ralph MacDonald and the late 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 President Barack Obama at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. He also performed for Cuba’s President Fidel Castro, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and, at the 2011 Duke of Edinburgh Black Tie Dinner, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
It is no wonder his album Inside Out conjures feelings of pleasure and intrigue. The album features ten original compositions, all of which display a superb blend of mesmerizing melodies and deeply penetrating grooves. “Mia Amor,” “Smell Your Own Finger” and “Life” are among the originals that demonstrate his natural musical dexterity. Inside Out also includes covers of “Unfaithful” and “Tempted to Touch,” originally recorded by fellow Barbadians Rihanna and Rupee, as testimony to Arturo’s reverence for his homeland.
When asked about his future plans in music, he simply responded: “Listen, practice, play, record.”
This biography and photograph were reproduced from the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Media Press Kit.