"A concert in honor of Puerto Rican musicians, composers, and bandleaders - in and through jazz over the last half century - with musical nods to Rafael Hernandez, Juan Tizol, Pedro Flores, Eddie Palmieri, Jerry and Andy Gonzalez, Batacumbele, Giovanni Hidalgo, Papo Vazquez, and José Lugo." - John Santos
Far more than a master percussionist, John Santos is an invaluable educator and cultural activist, a keeper of tthe Afro-Caribbean flame steeped in Cuban and Puerto Rican folkloric traditions as well as salsa and Latin jazz. Born and raised in San Francisco's Mission District amidst an extended family of Puerto Rican musicians, he's been at the center of the Bay Area's Latin music scene for nearly four decades, and was one of SFJAZZ's first four Resident Artistic Directors in 2013. As a visionary bandleader and noted historian, he has served on the Smithsonian Institution's Latin Jazz Advisory Committee.