TapRoots Latin Jam with TapRoots and David Allen Rivera & The Rebel Monks

TapRoots: TapRoots is the brainchild of composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Matthew King. Building on their debut album of 2018, TapRoots is charting new musical territory with its unique and complex mix of funk, soul, salsa, afrobeat, reggae, afrocuban jazz, rock and roll, samba and folkloric rhythms into a cohesive and compelling whole. They have emerged from the pandemic at the forefront of the Global Fusion revival in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts and beyond. Born out of the desire to explore and blend a variety of interlocking musical influences, TapRoots is a new vision of cultural sonic fusion that touches the live wire of the spirit, body and mind. In the words of King, “This is not “Epcot Center” style cultural fusion; this is a raw, energetic, untamed and complex look at how these musical traditions — and all of us – are related.” TapRoots combines blazing horn lines, danceable grooves, thought provoking lyrics and a tangible sense of the spirit into a powerful unified statement of joy, community, social change and praise! It is deep tracks with deep roots for the true music aficionado, traveling 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.

DAR & The Rebel Monks: David Allan Rivera, is a multifaceted musician born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and currently living in Connecticut. As a multi-instrumentalist, he primarily stands out as a latin percussionist and guitarist as well as a singer with much power and intensity. His musical beginnings were defined by the typical folkloric music of Puerto Rico which he later combined with the influences of rock, soul, funk and blues were able to shape his musical style in one that gave birth to his original pop rock band, DAR & The Rebel Monks. From a very young age, David had an interest for the drums and percussion rhythms. Their sound ignited the musician in him. In 2000, he made the decision to formally study percussion in Puerto Rico and embark in a musical journey that has since shaped his life. From 2000 to the present time, he has played with various artists. In 2009, he released his 1st album “Sentiment in Color,” in which as a singer, he interpreted a compilation of various latin “bolero” standards. In 2019, he reinvented himself and made the choice to debut as a songwriter while highlighting more intensely his guitar playing. Is at that crossroad that his first original song“Mujer de Fuego”, is born; a pop latin single that embodies the growth he has been able to achieve as a musician and his many artistic talents. One of his latest accomplishments, becoming part of Jose Feliciano’s band as the percussionist. Thus far, he has delivered a masterful playing, adding tremendous sound and energy to Jose’s performances.