Dante Roberson
Encyclopedia
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
drummer, musical director, and record producer from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Biography
Dante' is known foremost as a versatile drummerDrummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
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.
Musical Versatility
Roberson has performed with an a wide variety of world renowned artists, such as NajeeNajee
Jerome Najee Rasheed , known professionally as Najee, is an urban jazz saxophonist and flautist.He attended New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where he studied with George Russell and Jaki Byard....
, Carl Willer, Ivan Johnson
Ivan Johnson
Ivan Nicholas Johnson is a Bahamas-born former English cricketer who played for Worcestershire in the 1970s. He was born in Nassau....
, 98 Degrees
98 Degrees
98 Degrees is an American adult contemporary boy band consisting of four vocalists: brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre, and Jeff Timmons. The group was formed by Timmons in Los Angeles, California....
, The Coup
The Coup
The Coup is a political hip hop group based in Oakland, California. It formed as a three-member group in 1992 with emcees Raymond "Boots" Riley and E-Roc along with DJ Pam the Funkstress. E-Roc left on amicable terms after the group's second album but appears on the track "Breathing Apparatus" on...
, The B.L.A.C.K Experience, Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
, Demetrius Tolefree, Chico DeBarge
Chico DeBarge
Jonathan Arthur "Chico" DeBarge is an American R&B singer and a younger brother of the members of the Motown family act DeBarge...
& El Debarge
El DeBarge
Eldra Patrick "El" DeBarge is an American R&B/pop falsetto singer and was the focal point and lead singer of the family group DeBarge throughout the early to mid-1980s....
, ICON, YoLa, Rolando Al-Anan, Regina Belle
Regina Belle
Regina Belle is a singer-songwriter who first surfaced in the late 1980s. She is notable for her Grammy award winning duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World".-Biography:Regina Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey...
, Eric Benet
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
, X-Ecutioners, Kenny Muhammad
Kenny Muhammad
Kenny Muhammad is an American beatboxer occasionally referred to as The Human Orchestra, a moniker he affirmed by performing David Eaton's composition....
, Richie Rich (rapper)
Richie Rich (rapper)
Richard Serrell, better known by his stage name Richie Rich, is a rapper from Oakland, California.He is currently signed to Mack 10's Hoo-Bangin' Records.-Early years :His rapping style is an influence on Snoop Dogg. In Snoop's own words...
, Skylar Jett, Tony! Toni! Tone!
Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné! is an American Soul/R&B group from Oakland, California, popular during the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s. During the band's heyday, it was composed of D'wayne Wiggins on lead vocals and guitar, his brother Raphael Saadiq on lead vocals and bass, and their cousin Timothy...
, Tank, Yo-Yo (rapper)
Yo-Yo (rapper)
Yo-Yo is a Grammy-nominated American hardcore rapper and actress. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in hip-hop music. She is the protege of gangsta rapper Ice Cube...
, Too Short, Keith Washington
Keith Washington
Keith Washington is an American R&B vocalist from Detroit, Michigan who scored a hit single in the United States in 1991 with "Kissing You," which was also used as background music for a General Hospital on ABC...
, Juan Escarito, Ricardo Scales, Lloyd Gregory, Daryl Coley, James Jackson, Ivan Johnson, Juanita Wynn, Byron Cage
Byron Cage
Byron Cage is an American gospel recording artist.-Early years:Inspired by the singing of the late Rev. Donald Vails and Thomas Whitfield, Cage began singing gospel music as a teenager. Cage went on to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, where he was a member of the Morehouse College Glee...
, Oakland Africans, Vernon Hall, Mike Dinkins, Rodney Gadsen, Benai, Silky, AMP, Sam Bostic, Larry Braggs of Tower Of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
, Robin Duhe of Maze (band)
Maze (band)
Maze a soul / quiet storm band, also known alternately as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Frankie Beverly and Maze, was established in San Francisco, California in the early 1970s.-Career:...
, Masters of the Old School, Slick Rick
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
, Ray Obiedo
Ray Obiedo
Ray Obiedo is an American smooth jazz guitarist.Obiedo grew up in Richmond, California, and began playing guitar at age 17. Initially he played both jazz and R&B, appearing on record with Herbie Hancock, Julian Priester, and Sheila E.. He was the leader of jazz fusion group Kick and the rock band...
, Rusty Allen
Rusty Allen
Rustee Allen is an American musician best known as the bass guitar player for the influential funk band Sly & the Family Stone from 1972 to 1975...
of Sly & the Family Stone
Sly & the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone were an American rock, funk, and soul band from San Francisco, California. Active from 1966 to 1983, the band was pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music...
and many others.
Music Mentors
Dante' cites Anthony KingAnthony King
Anthony King is an American writer, director, and comedian based in New York City. He is the Artistic Director of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City...
and Floyd Kennedy as his music mentors and has toured all over the world and worked with international artists Brenda Vaughn & Keith Hayes.
Musical director and producer
Dante' can be seen playing with Rolando Al-An and has added musical director to his repertoire for Robin Duhe (formerly of Maze (band)Maze (band)
Maze a soul / quiet storm band, also known alternately as Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Frankie Beverly and Maze, was established in San Francisco, California in the early 1970s.-Career:...
), and Hip-Hop Artist Slick Rick
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
.
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
Jazz
- Joe Lucido - Monterey Bay
- Dwayne WrightDwayne Wright-Buffalo Bills:Wright was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He was signed to a contract on July 25. He was waived on August 30, 2008.He worked out for the Detroit Lions on September 17, but was not signed.-New York Giants:...
- Confusion - Perfect HarmonyPerfect HarmonyPerfect Harmony is a Disney movie that is set in the US Civil Rights era. The story highlights the racial tensions of the Black and White populations within a South Carolina town and its private school. The production was filmed at Berry College, and is noted for its soundtrack which featured...
- Groove Plus - Lloyd Gregory - Freefalling
- Ricardo Scales - Musical Skills
- Jonathon LaRue - Perfection
- Stacy Kane - Stacey Kane Trio