John Santos Sextet

Five-time Grammy nominee and USA Fontanals Fellow, John Santos, and his stellar Sextet shed light on the historical and cultural significance of Latin Jazz, in this celebration of island music from around the world on the island of Alameda. The Sextet’s talented line up features Saul Sierra on bass, Dr. John Calloway on flute and piano, Melecio Magdaluyo on saxes, Marco Diaz on piano and trumpet, and David Flores on drumset. Their repertoire consists of exciting arrangements from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the US, as well as original compositions in a wide range of styles and rhythms for audiences of all ages.

John Santos, is one of the foremost exponents of Afro-Latin music in the world today. Born in San Francisco, California, November l, 1955, he was raised in the Puerto Rican and Cape Verdean traditions of his family, surrounded by music. The fertile musical environment of the San Francisco Bay Area shaped his career in a unique way. His studies of Afro-Latin music have included several trips to New York, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil and Colombia. He is known for his innovative use of traditional forms and instruments in combination with contemporary music, and has earned much respect and recognition as an educator, composer, and record and event producer. He’s been a prolific performer, composer, teacher, writer, radio programmer, and record/event producer whose career has spanned over 35 years. John has worked with acknowledged, multi-generational masters such as Cachao, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Bebo Valdés, Max Roach, Eddie Palmieri, Patato Valdés, Lázaro Ros, Bobby Hutcherson, Chucho Valdes, Chocolate Armenteros, John Handy, Billy Cobham, Zakir Hussain, George Cables, Rene Lopez, Generoso Jimenez, Joe Henderson, Francisco Aguabella, John Faddis, Ed Thigpen, Giovanni Hidalgo, Steve Turre and McCoy Tyner.

“John Santos is well on his way to becoming a Latin Jazz legend.” - Derk Richardson, S.F. Jazz Festival

“…one of the best. He knows our music and everything that puts it together.” - Dizzy Gillespie

“The Latin music Renaissance man.” - Jesse Hamlin, SF Chronicle

“Santos has placed the Bay Area on the cutting edge of Latin Jazz.” - Lee Hildebrand, East Bay Express


Santos will also present an Afro-Latin Percussion and Chants Workshop at the Alameda Boys & Girls Club as part of this series made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Rhythmix Cultural Works (RCW) opened its doors in 2007 as a community arts center to bring people of all ages together for a wide range of high quality arts experiences. Only five minutes from downtown Oakland off Hwy 880, RCW offers a beautifully renovated 150-seat theater, art gallery and classroom as affordable space for live performances, exhibitions, arts education and cultural exchange for youth, families and adults. By providing a range of exhibits, workshops, classes and performances, RCW supports local, regional and international artists in the presentation of their work and strives to encourage community awareness through participation in the arts.

http://www.johnsantos.com