JOHN SANTOS
www.johnsantos.com
percussionist • historian • producer • composer
writer • vocalist • lecturer • instructor
Partial Discography (*John Santos as producer or co-producer)
Filosofía Caribeña Vol. 3* • The John Santos Sexet (Machete) 2021 (unreleased)
Art of the Descarga* • The John Santos Sexet (Smithsonian Folkways) 2020
Erik Jekabson Sextet • (Widehive) 2018
Erik Jekabson Quintet • (Widehive) 2018
Left 2 Write • George Andino featuring Tony Lindsey 2018
Raise the Mark • Bay Area All-Stars 2017
The Falling Dream • Electric Squeezebox Orchestra (OA2) 2017
This Could be That • Brian Andrés & the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel (Amazon Music Unlimited) 2016
Opaluna • Opaluna (Ridgeway Records) 2016
Pomponio • Jemal Ramirez (First Orbit Sounds) 2016
Leilani’s Leap • Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge 2015
Siempre Clásico* • The JS Sextet with Ernesto Oviedo and Orestes Vilató (Machete) 2014
Live at the Hillside Club • Erik Jekabson (Jekab’s Music) 2014
Salsa de la Bahia • Compilation (Patois) 2014
Eggun • Omar Sosa (Otá) 2013 GRAMMY Nominee
Latin Jazz Jazz Latin • Wayne Wallace (Patois) 2013 GRAMMY Nominee
Filosofía Caribeña Vol.2* • The John Santos Sextet (Machete) 2013
Filosofía Caribeña Vol.1* • The John Santos Sextet (Machete) 2011
La Esperanza* • John Santos y El Coro Folklórico Kindembo (Machete) 2011
Afrodiaspora* • Susana Baca (Luaka Bop) 2011
Where The Warm Winds Blow • Mel Martin (Jazzed Media) 2009
Perspectiva Fragmentada* • The John Santos Quintet (Machete) 2008
La Guerra No * • 2010 GRAMMY Nominee • JS y El Coro Folklórico Kindembo (Machete) 2008
The Nature of the Beat • Wayne Wallace (Patois) 2008
Azucar de Amor • Kat Parra (Patois) 2008
Papa Mambo* • The John Santos Quintet (Machete) 2007
Vagabundeo/Wanderings Alexa Weber Morales (Patois) 2007
The Reckless Search For Beauty • Wayne Wallace (Patois) 2006
Dedication • Wayne Wallace (Patois) 2006
Latigo • 2007 GRAMMY Nominee • Quartet San Francisco with John Santos (ViolinJazz) 2006
Para Todos Ustedes* • 2005 GRAMMY Nominee • Los Pleneros de la 21 (Smithsonian) 2005
20th Anniversary* • J.S. and Machete (Machete) 2005
Para Ellos* • 2005 GRAMMY Nominee • J.S. and the Coro Folklorico Kindembo (Machete) 2004
Brazos Abiertos* • J.S. and Machete (Machete) 2003
S.F. Bay* • 2003 GRAMMY Nominee • J.S. and Machete (Machete) 2002
Princesa de la Naturaleza • Maria Marquez 2003
Sentir • Omar Sosa (Ota) 2002
Echoes in Blue • Wayne Wallace (Spirit Nectar) 2001
Mambo Jazz* • Bobby Matos/John Santos (Cubop) 2001
Prietos • Omar Sosa (Ota) 2001
Tribute to The Masters* • John Santos and Machete (Cubop) 2000
La Mar* • John Santos and Omar Sosa 2000
Bembon • Omar Sosa (Ota) 2000
Three in One • Wayne Wallace (Spirit Nectar) 2000
Once Cuentos de Amor • Maria Fernanda Marquez (Ryko Latino) 2000
Cuba Without Borders • Comp. Machete, Pancho Quinto, Omar Sosa, Los Terry, Calloway 2000
El Campanazo • Jackeline Rago and the Venezuelan Music Project 2000
Cuban Roots Revisited • Mark Weinstein, F. Aguabella, L. Galarraga and O. Sosa (Cubop) 1999
Machetazo* • John Santos and Machete (Bembé) 1998
Nfumbe* • John Santos and Omar Sosa (Price Club) 1998
Pound for Pound • Charlie Hunter Quartet (Blue Note) 1998
Playing it Cool • Joyce Cooling (Heads Up) 1997
Front Porch Music • Linda Tillery (Earthbeat) 1997
Flores* • Conjunto Cespedes (Xenophile) 1997
Bird Goes Latin • Jamey Aebersold 1996
From Africa to Camaguey • Los Terry/Cuba (Round World) 1996
Tierra Adentro* • Claudia Gomez (Xenophile) 1996
Flying South • Pete Escovedo Orchestra (Concord) 1996
Ritmo Y Candela II • Patato, Orestes Vilato and Walfredo Reyes Sr. (Tonga) 1996
Hacia el Amor* • JS and the Coro Folklórico Kindembo (Xenophile) with Francisco Aguabella ’96
Machete* • John Santos and Machete (Xenophile) with Cachao and Chocolate 1995
Skin Talk* • Carolyn Brandy 1995
Vivito y Coleando* • INDIE AWARD WINNER • Conjunto Céspedes (Xenophile) 1995
Latin Jazz • Jamey Aebersold 1994
Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir • (Tuizer) 1994
Una Sola Casa* • INDIE AWARD WINNER • Conjunto Céspedes (Green Linnet) 1993
Collage/Afro-Cuban Jazz* • Bobby Matos Heritage Ensemble (Night Life) 1993
Forman on the Job • Bruce Forman, Joe Henderson (Kamei) 1992
Bebop & Beyond • Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Martin, George Cables (Blue Moon) 1991
Cantos • With legendary vocalist Lázaro Ros & Mezcla, Havana, Cuba (Intuition) 1990
Goza mi Timbal • Tito Puente Orchestra (Concord) 1989
Mr. E. • Pete Escovedo Orchestra (Concord) 1988
Africa Vol.1* • John Santos and Machete (Earthbeat) 1988
September Ballads • Mark Murphy w/ Art Farmer, Larry Coryell, Oscar C. Neves (Milestone) ’87
Un Poco Loco • Tito Puente Orchestra (Concord) 1987
Sensación • Tito Puente Orchestra (Concord) 1986
Si Me Ves Diferente* • Johnny Nelson Orchestra (Mila’s) 1986
Mañana Para Los Niños* • Orquesta Batachanga (Earthbeat) 1985
Yesterday’s Memories, Tomorrow’s Dreams • Pete Escovedo (Esgo) 1985
La Nueva Tradicion* • Orquesta Batachanga (Sugarloaf) 1982
Performance Highlights
Freight Fest • JS Sextet w/O.Vilató, Christ. Durandy, Jose R.Hndz, A.Blea, Juan L. Pérez, 9/28/19
Yoshi’s • JS Sextet w/ Kenny Washington & Tammy Brown Sep 27, 2019
Filoli Concert Series • JS Sextet August 25, 2019
Concord Jazz Fest • JS Sextet August 4, 2019
EastSide Cultural Ctr • Malcolm X Jazz Fest, Oakland JS Sextet w/David Murray & Bobi Céspedes 5/18/19
SFJAZZ • “Sounds of Resistance” JS Sextet with Jerry Medina, Tito Matos, Juango Gutierrez, Orestes Vilató. April 22, 2018
First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, CA • Sacred Roots of Latin Jazz. Jan 27, 2018
San Diego, Symphony Hall, Jazz at the Jacobs, CA • Roots of Rhythm Concert. Jan 27, 2018
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA • Benefit Concert for Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief. Oct 8, 2017
One World Festival, El Cerrito, CA • JS Sextet. July 4, 2017
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA • Benefit Concert for Giovanni Hidalgo. July 2, 2017
Ethnic Dance Festival • “Festejos Caribeños” with Alayo Dance Company. July 8 & 9, 2017
SFJAZZ • “Local Legends” JS Sextet with Maria Márquez, Jose Hernandez, Samora & Elena Pinderhughes. Jan 28, 2017
Chicago Jazz Festival • JS Sextet. July 15, 2016
Opening of Museum of African American Art & Culture, Washington DC • with Bobi Céspedes. Sep, 2016
Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Washington DC • JS Sextet with Bobi Céspedes. July 9, 2016
Berkeley World Music Festival • JS Sextet. June 11, 2016
The Fenix, San Rafael, CA • Cuarteto Americas. February 26, 2016
The Sound Room, Oakland, CA • Erik Jekabson Quintet. February 12, 2016
Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society • JS Sextet with Destani Wolf. January 24, 2016
Monterey Jazz Fest • JS Sextet with Ernesto Oviedo and Orestes Vilató. 2015
SFJAZ • with Orkestra Rumpilezz from Bahia Brazil. Aug 7, 2015
San Jose Jazz Fest • “Descarga For Monk” CD Release Alex Conde, Jeff Chambers, Timothy Angulo. Aug 8, 2015
African American Art/Culture Complex, SF • “Moros y Cristianos” Cuban painter Pablo Campoamor. Mar 20, 2015
EastSide Cultural Center • Guest with Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Feb 14, 2015
SFJAZZ. Tribute to Armando Peraza • with Zakir Hussein and Raul Rekow. Oct 12, 2014
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival • “Art of the Descarga” The JS Sextet. June 14, 2014
SFJAZZ • “Unusual Standards” Kenny Washington, Faye Carol, Kellye Gray, Destani Wolf. 3/2/14
SFJAZZ• “Siempre Clásico” CD Release with Ernesto Oviedo, Orestes Vilato, JS Sextet. Feb 8, 2014
SFJAZZ • “Tribute to Cachao & Walfredo” with Paquito D’Rivera, JS Sextet. Jan 18 & 19, 2014
East Meets West • with Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Symphony Space. NYC. Feb 1 & 2, 2013
SFJAZZ• “Filosofía Caribeña 2” CD Release, JS Sextet. March 23, 2013
EastSide Cultural Center • “Afro-Latinidad: The Memory of Rhythm” JS Quartet with special guests, Dec 6, 2012
EastSide Cultural Center • “Outside at Eastside” J.S. Sextet w/ Faye Carol, Rico Pabón and Kellye Gray. Oct 6, 2012
Brava Theater, SF • Pavel Urkiza & John Santos. May 25, 2012
National Museum of American History • The John Santos Sextet with Jerry Medina 2011
Filosofía Caribeña • Herbst Theater, SFJAZZ • JS Sextet, Kamau Daaood, Ramon Ramos Alayo, Sandra Rivera 2011
Armando Peraza 85th Birthday • Yoshi’s, Oakland • JS Sextet 2009
Master Planet Drums • Anfiteatro Tito Puente, Puerto Rico • Giovanni Hidalgo, Negro Hernandez 2007
Tribute to Armando Peraza • Yerba Buena Gardens Fest. SF • JS and Rumbero All Stars w/Giovanni Hidalgo 2007
San Francisco Jazz Festival • J.S. and Machete 20th Anniversary Concert 2005. Farewell Concert 2006
Latin Grammys International Telecast • Cachao , Bebo Valdes, Orestes Vilato. LA, CA 2005
The Getty Museum • J.S. Quartet Los Angeles, CA 2005
Chicago Latin Jazz Festival • J.S. Quintet 2004
San Jose Jazz Festival • J.S. and Machete 2001, 2002, 2004. JS Quintet 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Monterey Jazz Festival • Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge 2004
Bay Area Latin Jazz Legacy Series , La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley CA • J.S and Machete 2003
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stanford Jazz Concert Series • Big Band, Director Fred Berry 2003
Tribute to Bay Area Percussionists at Monterey Jazz Festival • J.S. and Machete 2002
Painted Bride Jazz Center, Philadelphia • J.S. and Machete 2002
J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA • J.S./Omar Sosa Trio 2001
Chicago Jazz Festival • Batacumbele 2000
Conciertos de Tambores Residency • J.S. and Machete with Sandy Perez, Roberto Borrell, Regino Jimenez, Luis Cepeda, Roman Carrillo, Quique Davila, Jose Luis Gomez, Cheo Rojas, Destani Wolf at Theater Artaud, SF 2000
Marin County Fair • Mary Wilson. 2000
Chicago World Music Festival • Omar Sosa/J. Santos Duo 1999
American Museum of Natural History, NY • John Santos and Machete 1999
Chicago Jazz Festival • John Santos and Machete. 1998
S.F. Jazz Festival • J.S. and Machete 1999, ‘97, ‘94, ‘92, ‘90, ‘89, ‘87
Virgin Islands and East Coast Tour • Omar Sosa 1999
Havana International Jazz Festival • John Santos and Machete 1997
Sao Paulo Intl. Music Exposition • Brazil 1997
S.F. Jazz Festival • Omar Sosa, Charlie Hunter 1997
Monterey Jazz Festival • Charlie Hunter 1997
Machete Ensemble East Coast U.S. Tour • 1996
Monterey Jazz Festival, CA • Lalo Schifrin with Carnegie Hall Jazz Band 1996
Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA • Eddie Palmieri 1996
Cachao y su Orquesta European and U.S. Tour • 1995
Great American Music Hall S.F. • Irakere West 1995
Monterey Jazz Festival • J.S. and Machete ‘94, ‘97
Concord Jazz Festival • J.S. and Machete ‘89 & ‘94
Stern Grove Summer Concert Series S.F. • J.S. and Machete 1988, 1993, 1997
Rhythm Makers • With A. Peraza, F. Aguabella, Billy Cobham, Zakir Hussain, Tootie Heath, Ignacio Berroa and Danilo Perez, Stanford University, CA 1993
Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos S.F. Film Festival tribute to/with Cachao S.F. 1993
North Sea Jazz Festival in De Hague, Holland, Madrid, Paris, Las Corruñas tour • with Cachao 1992
Great American Music Hall • S.F. J.S. and Machete 1990, 1992, 1997
Jazz Masters • With Dizzy Gillespie & Mel Martin, Herbst Theater, S.F. 1991
Mellon Jazz Festival Philadelphia, PA • J.S. and Machete 1991
Sense Us • Max Roach & Jon Jang, University of Kansas & Davies Symphony Hall, SF 1990
Oakland Coliseum • With Nelson Mandela, J.S. and Machete 1990
Russian River Jazz Festival CA • J.S. and Machete 1989
S.F. World Drum Festival • With Tito Puente 1988
Films & Music Videos
Rhythm Method • Documentary about John Santos by Searchlight Films (unreleased)
Cachao: Uno Mas! • (consultant/performer) Documentary by Andy Garcia and SF State University 2008
Race is The Place • (performer) Documentary by Rick Tejada-Flores and Ray Tellez 2005
Every Child is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas • (Composer, performer) Doc. 2003
Why Don’t You and I • Music Video, Carlos Santana 2003
Sworn to the Drum • (Consultant) Documentary about Francisco Aguabella by Les Blank 1985-1995
Roots of Rhythm • (Consultant) Three-part documentary by Les Blank, featuring Harry Belafonte 1986
La Familia Latina • Tito Puente/Sheila E. Special with Pete Escovedo Orchestra 1986
Instructional Highlights
CSU Summer Arts (Fresno) • Afro-Caribbean Jazz Faculty July 2019
Jazz Camp, Rhythmic Concepts Inc. Aptos, CA Faculty 1986-present
Lafayette Summer Music Program, Lafayette, CA • Faculty 2004-present
College of San Mateo, CA • Faculty 2006 – present.
Jazz School/California Jazz Conservatory, Berkeley, CA • Faculty 2007 – present.
Museum of the African Diaspora SF, CA • Annual Lecture Series. 2007-present
CSU Summer Arts, Fresno St.U. &UCMB • “Drum Talk” w/ master percussionist from Brazil, Mario Pam. 2015, 2017
Virginia Commonwealth University • Collaboration with University Big Band. March 20-22, 2016
Humboldt State University, CA • Faculty – Explorations in Afro-Cuban Music & Dance. 2003-2015
California Institute of Integral Studies SF, CA • Workshop Ritmos y Cantos Afro -Cubanos. 2013
California Institute of Integral Studies SF, CA • Music as Identity and Resistance six-week lecture series. 2013
Central American clinic tour for Latin Percussion, Inc • Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala 2008
Duke University, North Carolina • Lecturer 2006
Esalen Arts Festival, Big Sur, CA • Faculty 2006
Institute For Diversity in the Arts, Stanford University, CA • Faculty 2005
California Brazil Camp, Cazadero, CA • Faculty 2005
Diaz Music Institute, Houston, Tx • Artist-in-Residence 2005
University of California at Monterey Bay • Artist-in-Residence 2004
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor • Artist-in-Residence 2003, 2005
University of Wisconsin at Madison • Artist-in-Residence 2002
Association of Latin American Musicians, Philadelphia • Artist-in-Residence 2002
Universidad Inter-Americana, San Germán, Puerto Rico • Lecturer/clinician 2001
South American clinic tour for Latin Percussion, Inc • Argentina and Chile 2001
National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, San Antonio TX • Panelist 2001
Intl. Assoc. of Jazz Educators • Lecturer/clinician Atlanta 1996, NY 1998, Anaheim 1999, New Orleans 2000, NY 2001, Long Beach 2002
Brigham Young University Salt Lake City, UT • Lecturer/clinician 2000
Yale University • Lecturer/clinician 1999
World Percussion Fest Berklee School of Music, Boston, MA • Faculty 1998-2001
UCLA • Lecturer/clinician 1995
Stanford Jazz Workshop, Stanford University, CA • Faculty 1989-2000
Europe • Spring clinic/lecture/concert tour 1987–2011
Adventures in Music, S.F. Symphony S.F. Unified School District • 1987-2002
Faces of the Gods exhibit U.C. Berkeley • Lecturer 1995
Percussive Arts Society Convention Atlanta, GA • Lecturer/clinician 1994
Roots of Salsa 16-wk. lecture series La Raza Graphics, S.F. CA • 1987, ‘88, ‘89, ‘93
Jazz Masters Clinic Series Yoshi’s, Berkeley, CA • 1991
CSU Summer School for the Arts Humboldt St. University, Arcata, CA • Faculty ‘89
Community Music Center S.F. CA • Faculty 1980-1987
California Arts Council • Artist-in-Residence Mission Cultural Center, S.F. CA ‘77-’80
Publications
Poetry in Flight – Tecolote Anthology 2017
African Arts Journal “Tribute to Doctor Robert Farris Thompson.” 2017
“Walfredo De Los Reyes” Latin Beat magazine 2009
“The Cuban Danzon” Downbeat Magazine 2007
Author, Afro-Cuban Jazz/Ancestral Rhythm for S.F. Jazz Festival’s “Threads of Jazz” series 1996
Consultant to Salsa Guidebook by Rebeca Mauleón 1993
“The History of Salsa in San Francisco” S.F. Bay Guardian 1992
Featured columnist for Latin Percussionist New York 1995-2002
Featured columnist for international magazines Modern Drummer and Modern Percussionist 1985-1989
Featured columnist for Percussive Notes international magazine of the Percussive Arts Society 1985
Liner Notes
Muziek • The Van Wageningen Brothers (Patois) 2010
Obbini Tumbao • Obbini Tumbao 2009
What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life? • Chembo Corniel 2007
Charanson • Anthony Blea 2004
Latin Jazz: La Combinación Perfecta • (Smithsonian Folkways) Compilation 2002
Three in One • (Spirit Nectar) Wayne Wallace and Rhythm and Rhyme 2001
Cantaremos y Bailaremos • (Xenophile) Conjunto de Clave y Guaguancó, Cuba ‘94
La Historia del Son Cubano • Vols.1 & 2, 1926-1930, Sexteto Boloña, Sext. Habanero (Folklyric 9053&9054) 1987
Music of Cuba • (Folkways 4064) 1984
Ambassadors of Son • (Ciboney West) Conjunto Son 14, Cuba 1983
The Cuban Danzón: Its Ancestors and Descendents • (Folkways 4066) 1982
Carnaval en Cuba • (Folkways 4065) 1981
Selected Awards & Honors
Grand Marshall, Carnaval San Francisco 2017
Man of the Year Award from Brothers on the Rise, Oakland, CA 2013
San Francisco Latino Heritage Award 2012
Community Leadership Award from the San Francisco Foundation 2011
East Bay Fund For Artists Grant by the East Bay community Foundation for commissioning Filosofía Caribeña 2010
Grant from NALAC (National Association for Latino Arts and Culture) for commissioning Filosofía Caribeña 2010
GRAMMY nomination for La Guerra No by John Santos y El Coro Folklórico Kindembo (Machete) 2009
Performing Arts from the Arts Council of Silicon Valley 2009
Perspectiva Fragmentada by the JS Quintet nominated for Cubadisco award (Cuban Grammys) 2009
Perspectiva Fragmentada by the JS Quintet nominated by the Jazz Journalists Association as one of the top Latin Jazz releases of 2008
Perspectiva Fragmentada by the JS Quintet, selected among the best five Latin Jazz Albums of 2008 by All About Jazz Magazine (NY)
John Santos Quintet voted Best Latin Band of the Bay Area by the East Bay Express 2008
Mayoral Proclamation of Artistic/Cultural Recognition, City of San Francisco 2008
USA Fontanals Fellow 2007
Papa Mambo by the John Santos Quintet nominated by the Latin Jazz Corner for 2007 Album of The Year
Commissioned by SF Jazz Festival to compose and premiere Traditions in Transition with the SF High School All Star Big Band at the Palace of Fine Arts, November 11, 2007
Grant from Fund For Folk Culture in support of CD project La Guerra No by JS and The Coro Folklórico Kindembo ’07
Champion of Diversity Award from the University of California at San Francisco 2006
November 12, 2006 proclaimed John Santos Day in San Francisco by Mayor Gavin Newsom
GRAMMY nomination for Latigo by Quartet San Francisco with special guest, John Santos (ViolinJazz) 2006
GRAMMY nomination for Para Todos Ustedes in the field of Best World Music Album 2006
GRAMMY nomination for Para Ellos in the field of Best Folk Album 2005
Bay Area’s Best Latin Band, SF Bay Guardian 2004
GRAMMY nomination for SF Bay in the field of Best Latin Jazz Album 2003
Commission by Oakland Ballet to compose and premiere Union Fraternal for Fall season 2000
Variety of Grants (Artist-in-Residence, Fellowship, Multi-Cultural Entry Level, etc.) California Arts Council 1976-1999
Commission by Brava! for Women in the Arts to compose original score for play, Watsonville, by Cherrie Moraga 1996
INDIE AWARD from NAIRD for Vivito y Coleando by Conjunto Céspedes, produced by John Santos 1995
Commission by ODC to compose and premiere Under the Jaguar Sun at Yerba Buena Gardens Theater, S.F. CA 1994
INDIE AWARD from NAIRD for Una Sola Casa by Conjunto Céspedes, produced by John Santos 1993
Artistic Community Service Award Mission Economic and Cultural Association, S.F., CA 1992
S.F. Weekly WAMMY Award for J.S. and Machete 1992
Commission by the National Performance Network and the Asociación de Músicos Latino Americanos to compose and premiere Caribeño Suite at the Mellon Jazz Festival, Phila, PA 1991
Artists Fellowship California Arts Council 1991
New Langton Arts and Festival 2000 grants for From Here to There with visual artist Kate Connell, S.F. 1990
Artist in Residence grants from California Arts Council 1979-1984
Selected Event Productions (John Santos-artistic director/producer)
Timba Roots • EastSide Cultural Ctr Oakland, CA J.S. Sextet w/ Perico Hernandez, O.Vilató, Chistelle Durandy 11/3/19
Puerto Rico Del Alma • Presidio Theatre J.S. Sextet w/ Jerry Medina, Julia Cepeda, Pedro Pastrana, Shefali Shah 10/25/19
The Spiritual Roots of Latin Jazz Bing Concert Hall Stanford Univ.JS Sextet w/RBorrell, Bobi Céspedes, Yeni Valdés 2/9/19
Puerto Rico Del Alma • SFJAZZ w/J.S. Sextet, Jerry Medina, Tito Matos, Juan Gutierrez, Pedro Pastrana, Shefa Shah 2018
Raices curated series at Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA • w/Susana Baca, Omara Portuondo, Eddie Palmieri, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Afro-Cuban AllStars, Issac Delgado, Giovanni Hidalgo, Zakir Hussein, IFÉ, Novalima, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, 2017 – present
Benefit for Puerto Rican Hurricane victims • Freight & Salvage w/Miguel Zenon, David Sanchez, J.S. Sextet, Jose R.Herndz 2017
Benefit for Giovanni Hidalgo • Freight & Salvage w/Zakir Hussein, Miguel Zenon, J.S. Sextet, Jesus Diaz, Fito Reynoso 2017
JS Residency at SFJAZZ • JS Sextet, Omar Sosa, Jerry Medina, Rico Pabón, Orestes Vilató, Ernesto Oviedo 2013
Outside at Eastside • J.S. Sextet, Faye Carroll, Kellye Gray, Rico Pabon at Eastside Cultural Center, Oakland, CA 2012
Un Solo Corazón: Del Folklor al Jazz Latino • J.S. Sextet at the Eastside Cultural Center, Oakland, CA 2009
The African Element in Latin Jazz (four-part series clinic/concerts) • J.S. Quartet at the Jazz School Berk, CA 2006
The Anatomy of Latin Jazz (three-part series clinic/concerts) • J.S Quintet at the Jazz School Berkeley, CA 2006
Fiesta Boricua • J.S. and Machete with special guests including Jerry Medina and Rico Pabón, ODC SF 2004
Conciertos de Tambores • J.S. and Machete with Chichito Cepeda, Ito Carrillo, Roberto Borrell, Theater Artaud 2001, Brava Theater 2002
Tribute to Orestes Vilató • J.S. & Machete, Jose Fajardo, Felo Barrio, Nelson Gonzalez, Yerba Buena Theater, SF 2000
Tribute to Armando Peraza • SFJAZZ Al McKibbon, Francisco Aguabella, and Emil Richards, Masonic Auditorium 1995
Jazz Antillana • Odunde Festival, J.S. and Machete, Center for the Arts Theater, SF 1994
The Drum is the Heartbeat Zellerbach Theater • U.C. Berkeley, J.S. & Machete, A. Peraza, Francisco Aguabella, Roberto Borrell, and Bobi Cespedes 1993
The Evolution of Afro-Cuban Music I & II • SFJAZZ J.S. & Machete with Cachao, Chocolate, Armando Peraza, Santana, Walfredo de los Reyes Sr., Orestes Vilató, Coro Folklórico Kindembo, Davies Symphony Hall and Bimbo’s, 1989 &1990
The Chronological History of Salsa • Tipica Cienfuegos with A. Peraza, Victoria Theater, S.F. 1980
Founding Member of Carnaval SF Committee 1978
Other
Board of Trustees • SFJAZZ 2016-present
Advisory Board Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance – New York 2015-present
Advisory Board Oaktown Jazz Workshop- Oakland, CA 2014-present
Advisory Board Living Jazz – Oakland, CA 2008-present
Smithsonian Institution • Latin Jazz Advisory Committee, 1999-‘02
Arts Education Initiative Program • Advisory Committee, East Bay Community Foundation, Oakland, CA 1996-98
Advisory Board, Educational Liaison • S.F. Jazz Festival 1983-present
President/founder, Machete Records • S.F. 1984 to present
President/founder, Guataca Music Publishing Co • S.F. 1991 to present
Ahora, monthly radio program • KPFA-94.1 FM, Berkeley, CA 1986-1990
Kindembo, weekly radio program • KPOO-89.5 FM, S.F 1983-1988
Community Arts Distribution Committee • Zellerbach Family Fund, S.F. 1985-2008
Lectures, Workshops & Clinics
John Santos’ passion for music and ability to articulate its role historically make him an effective and in-demand lecturer. He is also adept at conducting seminars, clinics, residencies and hands-on workshops in Afro-Latin and contemporary percussion focusing on polyrhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil, and on the art, technique, demands and disciplines of dozens of percussive instruments.
He has taught thousands of people of all ages and levels in the U.S. (since 1972), Europe (since 1987), and Latin America, and has informed countless others through his writing. Mr. Santos has lectured at Yale University, UCLA, Stanford, Universidad Inter-Americana de San Germán, Puerto Rico, the Berklee School of Music (Boston), University of Wisconsin at Madison, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, San Francisco State University, Humboldt State University, San Jose State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Long Beach State University, Cal State Hayward, Santa Clara University, Tulane University, Diablo Valley College (CA), the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center (Bronx, NY), the Community Music Center of San Francisco, and at numerous conferences of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). Mr. Santos’ appearances can be solo or in tandem with other musicians and can include any combination of lecture and demonstration using an amazing arsenal of instruments as well as rare recordings and slides from his legendary collection. He is currently on the faculty of the College of San Mateo, the California Jazz Conservatory (Berkeley, CA), and Jazz Camp West of Rhythmic Concepts Inc (CA). Some popular subjects for his lectures and clinics include:
Traditional and Contemporary Afro-Caribbean Music
Music as Identity and Resistance.
The Anatomy of Latin Jazz – An exploration of the Caribbean roots of jazz with an emphasis on Cuba, New York and Puerto Rico.
The African Presence in Latin American Music – an overview of the less discussed African retention in the evolution of the music of Latin America.
La Tumbadora: Backbone of Salsa and Latin Jazz – a study of the conga drum and its role as the spiritual and rhythmic foundation of today’s popular Latin music.
The Roots of Salsa – an exploration of the styles, eras, pioneers, rhythms, nuts and bolts of Salsa.
The Role of the Percussionist – an explanation and conceptual presentation of how to meet the demands of a modern percussionist from the non-classical perspective.
La Clave Misteriosa – an in-depth look into the simplest yet most complex and important aspect of popular Afro-Caribbean music.
Salsa for Social Change – emphasizing the socio-political roots of Salsa and its continued role as a vehicle for community expression.
The Danzon: Cuban Musical Royalty, Jazz Predecessor
Jazz Latino: American Legacy