Dante "Taz" Roberson (born in 1972 in Stanford, California) is an American drummer, musical director, and record producer from the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Dante' 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 17 years.
Dante' 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, Dante' 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. Dante'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, Dante' 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. Dante can also "Get Big" when he gets his rock on with San Jose Hard Rock band LoveKraft.
Most recently Dante' 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. Dante' can be seen on Comedy Central's "Weekends at the DL" where he performs with the Dwayne Wiggins Band. On any given night Dante' 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. Dante' 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.
Roberson has performed with an 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 (band), Masters of the Old School, Slick Rick, Ray Obiedo, Rusty Allen of Sly & the Family Stone and many others.
Dante' cites Anthony King and Floyd Kennedy as his music mentors and has toured all over the world and worked with international artists Brenda Vaughn & Keith Hayes.
Dante' 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.