Previous events

This Composers' Concert will consist of 100% original compositions by members of the Sextet representing a wide range of styles, rhythms, influences and vibes that make up the limitless world of Jazz Latino. The historic Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society at the Douglass Beach House is the oldest Jazz Presenter in Northern California and happens to be one of the country's most beautiful and intimate concert settings as well.

We will close the all-day event. Four other bands will be prersented during the day before our set at 6:30

Benefit concert for KPFA, one of the irsft and last bastions for honest jounalism and progressive support of justice and equality on the airwaves. As the ignorant, arrogant and inhumane regime outlaws PBS, free speech, and all things related to diversity and equity, it is more important than ever to support the institutions that actually stand for freedom and human rights. La Peña is also an invaluable Bay Area cultural institution for over 50 years!

"Unusual Standards" is an outside-the-box conceptual concert of soulful, funky, Afro-Caribbean tinged 'standards' from the jazz and Latin American canons combined with original compositions and arrangements. There will be more unusual turns and surprises than a roller coaster, as we deconstruct the standard and reconstruct the familiar. Our world-class guest vocalists and musicians in combination with the wonderful members of the Sextet will create an historic musical journey of high inspiration. Bing Concert Hall is among the finest acoustic rooms in the world.

Special guests: Destani Wolf, Janice Maxie-Reid, Marina Lavalle, Christelle Durandy, Zoe Ellis, Skylar Tang, Pedro Rosales

The John Santos Sextet: Dr. John Calloway, Marco Diaz, Saul Sierra, David Flores, Charlie Gurke, John Santos

Master photographer Tom Ehrlich has been documenting the Bay Area Latin and Jazz music scenes for over two decades. His photographs capture the essence of one of the most vibrant cultural arts scenes on the planet. This is Tom's first Bay Area exhibit! The Annex has also emerged as a cultural center of importance in addition to being the hippest health food grocery outlet in the area. This is a free event. Reception 4:00 - 7:00 Music 5:00 - 6:30 MJ Santos - piano, Geoff Brennan - bass, Dr. John Calloway - flute, Charlie Gurke - saxes, David Flores - drums, Javier Navarrette - percussion, John Santos - percussion

Skin to Skin is a 75-min documentary by Kathryn Golden and Ashley James about the work of John Santos. This is a benefit for Blue Oak School's scholarship Fund. Following the film and Q&A, The John Santos Quartet will perform in concert, MJ Santos - piano, Ernesto Mazar Kindelán - bass, Josh Jones - drums, John Santos - percussion

The distinct musical traditions of Cuba and Puerto Rico are joined at the hip for good reason. Their shared colonial experience of genocide, slavery and US intervention created a similar foundation for musical resistance and self-expression that resulted in iconic, internationally renowned musical forms such as Salsa and Latin Jazz as well as lesser known forms. In this multi-media presentation by John Santos, we'll look at certain artists, activists, movements, forms, and eras through slides, video clips, audio examples, and discussion. This is a production of CubaCaribe, one of the Bay Area's most important cultural institutions.

The African Roots of Jazz Latino have always been undeniable and present in myriad ways. Despite the violent and notorious colonial experience in the Americas, African tradition, wisdom, spirituality, humor and storytelling are ever present in the music and dance. We have prepared a marvelous repertoire to celebrate Africa in the Americas - Jazz Latino style!!

The John Santos Sextet: Dr. John Calloway - flutes, percussion Saul Sierra - bass Marco Díaz - piano, trumpet David Flores - drumset Charlie Gurke - saxes John Santos - percussion

with special guests: Kiazi Malonga - (Congo) Bongo Sibidé - (Guinea) Baba Moshé Milon (Chicago, Mali, Senegal, Oakland) Lakiba Pittman (Fua Dia Congo) MJ Santos (Oakland School of the Arts)

La Peña Cultural Center Presents: The John Santos Sextet – Uncharted Territory An improvised journey of rhythm, healing, and connection.

Join us at La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley for Uncharted Territory, an unforgettable evening of live Afro-Latino Jazz led by multi-Grammy nominee John Santos and his renowned Sextet. This special concert blends deep musical improvisation, traditional Afro-Latino dance rhythms, and contemporary jazz influences, creating a transformative experience for all music lovers.

Improvisation is at the heart of jazz and traditional Afro-Latino music. It is an ancient link to the past and the future that honors celebrated and unknown ancestors as well as descendants. Through this shared moment of sound, expect a night of healing, compassion, and unspoken communication, uplifting everyone in the room. We have a couple surprises in store as well!

Dr. John Calloway - flute, percussion Marco Diaz - piano, trumpet Saul Sierra - bass Charlie Gurke - saxes Josh Jones - drums Javier Navarrette - percussion John Santos - percussion

Internationally renowned Cuban superstar violinist/vocalist, Yilian Cañizares teams up for the first time with Bay Area stalwarts, The John Santos Sextet in concert. Yilian has collaborated with Omar Sosa and Chucho Valdés and is among the elite new generation of exceptional artists currently making the rounds in the international Jazz Festival circuits. Santos is recognized for his always exquisite musical collaborations with multi-generational talents and mentors over the last five decades. His resume includes Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Cachao and Tito Puente among countless others. His Sextet is made up of the best of the Bay Area including Dr. John Calloway, Marco Díaz, Saul Sierra, David Flores, and Charlie Gurke.

I am SO looking forward to this epic concert and homecoming for me at the landmark Brava Theater. We will be continuing to celebrate 40 years of Machete Records as well as our latest release, HORIZONTES, which just received a 4-star review in Downbeat Magazine!!
35 years ago, gentrification moved me out of my beloved Mission District where I was born. The Brava is an iconic institution in our community and represents home to me - a place in the neighborhood where I was born and raised. A place I frequented as a child - where my parents enjoyed vaudeville and movies during the 1930s and 40s. And a place I am proud to be associated with over the decades through countless beautiful events as a performer and as an audience member as the Brava has come to represent a hub of solidarity in our common struggles against racism, patriarchy and predatory capitalism. The Sextet is in rare form and the guest artists are out of this world! This is gonna be one for the history books! The John Santos Sextet & Friends in concert! Hope to see you there. Thank you for spreading the word! THE JOHN SANTOS SEXTET: Dr. John Calloway - flutes, piano, percussion Marco Diaz - piano, trumpet Saul Sierra - bass Charlie Gurke - saxes David Flores - drum set John Santos - percussion, coro SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS: living legend Orestes Vilató - timbales Destani Wolf - vocals Rico Pabón - vocals Anthony Blea - violin Javier Navarrette - percussion Pedro José Pastrana - cuatro Puertorriqueño Juan Luis Pérez - vocals Kata Miletich - vocals MJ Santos - percussion, piano

AND prolific visual artist Adrián Arías painting live onstage while we play!!!

CD Release Concert!!!

THE JOHN SANTOS SEXTET Dr. John Calloway, Marco Díaz, David Flores, Charlie Gurke, Saul Sierra, John Santos

with special guests: Orestes Vilató, Anthony Blea, Christelle Durandy, Pedro Pastrana, Juan Luis Pérez, Javier Navarrette & Marcel Joao Santos

All ages/ Students half price! Thank you for spreading the word! See you there!

Thrilled to bring LAS MIGAS back to The Freight as part of mi RAICES series!!

Four talented musicians who break the codes of traditional flamenco to add jazz, classical, bossa and Manouche sounds: Las Migas (The Crumbs, in Spanish!), an all-female quartet that has been performing on stages all over the world for more than eighteen years. Featuring the passionate singing of Carolina La Chispa, the twin guitars of Marta Robles and Alicia Grillo, and the free-form violin of Roser Loscos. Nominated for a Latin Grammy Award (2017) for their album Vente Conmigo, and having recently received an Award for Independent Music (MIN) for the best flamenco album for their last work Cuatro, Las Migas is one of the most magical and internationally recognized bands.

This year, nonprofit youth organization Oaktown Jazz Workshops is celebrating 30 years of music education and community building! Oaktown Jazz Workshops, founded in 1994 by Khalil Shaheed, invites you to celebrate its 30th Anniversary at Yoshi’s in Oakland on Saturday, November 16th, 2024 at 7:30P p.m. Hosted by KCSM’s Jesse “Chuy” Varela, the evening will include performances by Richard Howell, The John Santos Sextet, accomplished alumni including Kazemde George, Elé Howell, Jesse Levit, and Erika Oba, Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Performance Ensemble, and special guests! This is the oldest ongoing youth Jazz program in the Bay Area! Your support is HIGHLY appreciated!!! Thank you for spreading the word!

This is part of my RAICES series at The Freight and it is going to be a PARTY!!!! Hope to see you there! Thank you for spreading the word!

Discos Resaca Collective brings a lot of energy to the stage, mixing traditional sounds with some modern elements. They can play anything from Rancheras, Cumbias, Soul to Salsa. They bring a level of authenticity and pride themselves at maintaining musical traditions.

Mariposas Del Alma grew up in a home with a musician father, and a lineage (maternal grandfather) that traces back to the days of the Trios all throughout Latin America - it was only natural that the sisters became the amazing vocalists they are today.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, bilingual Emcee/Rapper Deuce Eclipse and co-founder/vocalist of Bang Data, draws influence from both his Nicaraguan heritage as well as the culture of Hip-Hop he grew up with in the United States. He has released a variety of albums and countless songs, some of which have been featured on many TV shows, commercials, and movies.

OPENING ACTS: Ritmos Tropicosmos and DJ Sizzle

RITMOS TROPICOSMOS is a seven-piece psychedelic cumbia group from Oakland, CA, creating heavy tropical rhythms with an emphasis on live percussion, synthesizers, and familial stories put into song. Together in a time-warped crossroads of electric and acoustic instrumentation, Ritmos Tropicosmos stands somewhere within the traditional rhythms of the past and the futuristic soundscapes of The Now. Tropis have recently composed the score for the 2024 production of “Mother Road” at Berkeley Rep, and their debut LP “La Vida es pa’ Vivir” is out now on Econo Jam Records. Find out more at tropicosmos.com

DANCE FLOOR OPEN!

Oakland Symphony & Living Jazz at the historic Paramount Theatre!!! Allison Miller, Meklit Hadero and I (John Santos) have been commissioned to each compose a piece for the Oakland Symphony!! The pieces will premiere Friday, October 18th at the Paramount!! My piece is based on Puerto Rican resistance and musical history and will feature Puerto Rican cuatro specialist Pedro Pastrana and voice artist Maria Cora. To my knowledge, it will be the first time the Puerto rican cuatro will be featured in front of a symphony orchestra in the San Francisco Bay Area!!!

The John Santos Sextet in concert. Saul Sierra - bass. Marco Diaz - piano, trumpet. Dr. John Calloway - flute, piano. charlie Gurke - saxes. David Flores - drums. John Santos - percussion. plus surprise guest(s). 2 Sets of original compositions and arrangements!

Rhythmic Journeys The John Santos Sextet Rhythm is the point of departure in just about everything. In this innovative concert presentation by the renowned John Santos Sextet, an astonishing range of rhythms remind us of the multi-dimensional nature of Jazz Latino.

Marco Diaz - piano, trumpet Saul Sierra - bass Dr. John Calloway - flute, piano Charlie Gurke - saxes David Flores - drumset John Santos - percussion surprise special guest

The RAICES Concert Series curated by John Santos presents EL LABERINTO DEL COCO direct from Puerto Rico!!! El Laberinto del Coco is an Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion ensemble founded by visionary percussionist Hector “Coco” Barez (Ballet Folklorico Areyto, Calle 13, Bacilos, Bio Ritmo, Miramar, William Cepeda, Bayanga) in 2017. Legendary Puerto Rican vocalist Jerry Medina is featured!!

Tribute to Jerry and Andy Gonzalez with The John Santos Sextet & special guests. Dr. John Calloway - flute, percussion, piano Charlie Gurke - saxes Marco Díaz - piano, trumpet Saul Sierra - bass David Flores - drums John Santos - percussion Ray Vega - trumpet Bill Ortiz - trumpet Gary Bean - trumpet, sax Skylar Tang - trumpet