TapRoots & Friends Ecstatic Roots Dance Party

Born out of the desire to explore and blend a variety of musical influences, TapRoots is a new vision of cultural sonic fusion to connect a broken world through our shared humanity. TapRoots is the musical brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and producer Matthew King.

TapRoots is Deep Tracks with Deep Roots for the Body, Mind and Soul! Charting new musical territory with their unique and complex mix of funk, soul, salsa, afrobeat, reggae, afrocuban jazz, rock, samba and folkloric rhythms, TapRoots travels beyond the borders of traditional popular music, bringing the listener on a journey filled with catchy hooks, pulsing rhythms, and intricate musical motifs, synthesized into a powerful, deeply rooted, listening experience. Blazing horn lines, danceable grooves, thought provoking lyrics and a tangible sense of the spirit are braided together into a powerful unified statement of joy, community, social change and upliftment!

Rebelle is a formidable band concieved in love, rebellion, and the evocative musical talents of Manou Africa and Kalpana Devi. Their powerful voices chant meditations on liberation while insturmentals propel Roots Reggae Soul! Rebelle has shared the stage with Skatalites, The Wailers, Little Richard, and Toots and The Maytals just to name a few. They've been regularly voted "Best Reggae Band" and "Best World Music" by several poular polls in the region for the last two decades!

The Soulful Jazz Trio are a collection of Western Massachusetts’ most established musicians / educators / entertainers. Very highly skilled musicians who share their love and passion for all styles of jazz and instrumental Pop music. The Soulful Jazz Trio have performed at The Indie Soul Music Festival, First Night of Northampton, Dewey’s Jazz Lounge, The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival, Thursday Jazz Sessions at The Wurst Haus in Northampton, Deerfield Inn-Champney’s Summer Patio Music Series, and the Northampton Jazz Festival. Prepare yourself for a night of soulful and energetic music. They are 3 but sound like a 6 piece ensemble.

Ron Smith: Saxophonist, bassist, and percussionist, Northampton resident, Director of Bands at Northfield Mount Hermon School, and Ethnomusicologist.

Jo Sallins: Bassist, keyboardist, and percussionist, Holyoke resident, educator, and private instructor. Jo Sallins is CEO of La’Jaz Productions and is a virtuoso musician.

Kevin Share: Drums, bassist, and keyboardist, Springfield resident, educator, worship leader, Music Director, organist at Morning Star Church, and singer/song-writer at The Kevin Sharpe Group.

Host or Publisher Hawks & Reed