Dante Roberson
![](../I/m/Dante-pearl.jpg)
Dante "Taz" Roberson (born in 1972 in Stanford, California) is an American drummer, musical director, and record producer from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Biography
Roberson is known foremost as a versatile drummer with years of musical experience in jazz, rock, Latin, funk, R&B, hip hop, and gospel. As an internationally endorsed drummer his career history spans 20 years.
Roberson was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is a self-taught drummer. He began playing professionally at the age of 16 with gospel music legend Daryl Coley. Remaining true to his gospel roots, Roberson continues to play at his local church and has recorded with artists such as Demetrius Tolefree, James Jackson and Juanita Wynn just to name a few. Wanting to gain exposure to a wide variety of music at an early age, he started touring with Oakland-based group African Rain and International Drum Master Baba Olatunji. Roberson's interest in jazz, fusion and world music was further developed while playing with Jazz greats such as Joe Lucito,Juan Escovito, Ricardo Scales & Lloyd Gregory. Known as an "on demand" drummer, Roberson has played with The Coup, Too Short, The X-ecutioners, and The B.L.A.C.K. Experience. No stranger to funk and R&B, he grooves with Robin Duhe, Dwayne Wiggins, and continues to support local musicians in the Bay Area music scene. Roberson can also "Get Big" when he gets his rock on with San Jose Hard Rock band LoveKraft.
Most recently Roberson has added musical director & producer to his resume, and as result, he has collaborated on a number of television, film, commercial, and video game projects. Roberson can be seen on Comedy Central's "Weekends at the DL" where he performs with the Dwayne Wiggins Band. On any given night Roberson will let loose with some amazing chops and always, a tight groove. If that isn't enough, he is currently on tour with award winning artist Eric Benet. Roberson recently made a special guest appearance with fellow drummer Mike Johnston on mikeslessons.com, where he taught the 200th lesson.
He is not related to fellow Oakland, California native, Chris Roberson.
Musical Versatility
Roberson has performed with a wide variety of world-renowned artists, such as Najee, Carl Willer, Ivan Johnson, 98 Degrees, The Coup, The B.L.A.C.K Experience, Marcus Miller, Demetrius Tolefree, Chico DeBarge & El Debarge, ICON, YoLa, Rolando Al-Anan, Regina Belle, Eric Benet, X-Ecutioners, Kenny Muhammad, Richie Rich (rapper), Skylar Jett, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Tank, Yo-Yo (rapper), Too Short, Keith Washington, Juan Escarito, Ricardo Scales, Lloyd Gregory, Daryl Coley, James Jackson, Ivan Johnson, Juanita Wynn, Byron Cage, Oakland Africans, Vernon Hall, Mike Dinkins, Rodney Gadsen, Benai, Silky, AMP, Sam Bostic, Larry Braggs of Tower Of Power, Robin Duhe of Maze, Masters of the Old School, Slick Rick, Ray Obiedo, Rusty Allen of Sly & the Family Stone,En Vogue, The Whispers, T.W.O., Cameo, Big Boi (rapper),Stephanie Mills, Tony Saunders, Carl Wheeler, Skip Soder,and many others.
Music Mentors
Roberson cites Dennis Chambers, Floyd Kennedy, Chris Daddy Dave, Gorden Campbell and Mike Johnston, as his music mentors and has toured all over the world and worked with various international artists.
Musical director and producer
Roberson can be seen playing with Rolando Al-An and has added musical director to his repertoire for Robin Duhe (formerly of Maze (band)), and Hip-Hop Artist Slick Rick.
Discography
Gospel Music
- Juanita Wynn - Juanita Wynn
- Demetrius Tolefree - Saved
- James Jackson - Raise the Roof
- Endurance - Live from Oakland
- Harold Pauley & Unlimited Praise - True Praises
- James Jackson - Phase two
- Leggit Brothers - Leggit Brothers
- Valerie Turner - Wisdom
R&B
- USAM - USAM
- Dwayne Wiggins - Eyes Never Lie
- Robin Duhe - Live at Qs
Hip Hop
- The Coup -
- The B.L.A.C.K. Experience -
Jazz
- Joe Lucido - Monterey Bay
- Dwayne Wright - Confusion
- Perfect Harmony - Groove Plus
- Lloyd Gregory - Freefalling
- Ricardo Scales - Musical Skills
- Jonathon LaRue - Perfection
- Stacy Kane - Stacey Kane Trio
Neo Soul
- Juan E. - Boom Tap
- Ebony - Just Another Day
Concert CDs/DVDs
- Live at the Fillmore - Dwayne Wiggins
Latin
- Rolando Alan