Bay Area Latin jazz legend John Santos joins us with a full band for a live in-studio performance. The San Francisco native is a Grammy nominated percussionist and composer influenced by classic rhythms and traditions of the Caribbean. He founded his own label, Machete Records, 40 years ago to avoid mainstream platforms and maintain his creative freedom. Santos joins us to talk about his San Francisco roots, the rhythms of his Puerto Rican and Cape Verdean heritage, and his latest album, Horizontes.
Bay Area Latin Jazz Legend John Santos and Friends Perform Live
The John Santos Sextet performs to a sold out crowd at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California, Feb. 1, 2025. (David Barreda via KQED Newsimage)
Guests:
Saul Sierra, musician, bass, vocals
John Santos, Latin Jazz percussionist, leader of the John Santos Sextet
Marco Diaz, musician, keyboard, trumpet, vocals
John Calloway, musician, flute, keyboard
Charlie Gurke, musician, saxes
Anthony Blea, musician, violin
Javier Navarrette, musician, congas
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