41st San Francisco Jazz Festival | John Santos Sextet
John Santos Sextet
Tribute to Jerry and Andy González

John Santos Sextet

w/ special guest Bill Ortiz, Dr. Gary Bean, Ray Vega, & Skylar Tang

JUNE 5-16 | 41ST ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ FESTIVAL

Miner Auditorium

PLEASE NOTE:
This page is an archive of a past production


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Original show description below.

Bay Area-based percussionist, composer, and former SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director John Santos brings his supercharged sextet with guest trumpeters Bill OrtizRay Vega, Dr. Gary Bean, and Skylar Tang for an evening celebrating the legacy of Latin jazz giants Jerry and Andy González.

On this night, Santos pays tribute to the late brothers Jerry and Andy González, Bronx-born bandleaders and multi-instrumentalists, who, in the words of acclaimed Latin jazz pianist Arturo O’Farrill, “changed the face of Latin jazz—in fact, they defined that hybrid.”

“The Latin music Renaissance man” (San Francisco Chronicle), Santos is an invaluable educator and cultural activist, a seven-time GRAMMY nominee, and keeper of the 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 four decades and was part of the inaugural group of SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Directors at the SFJAZZ Center during the 2013-2014 Season.

A pair of masterful trumpeters will join Santos’ superb sextet for this performance. Bill Ortiz is known for his 13-year tenure with Santana, and Ray Vega is a former student of Jerry González who’s worked extensively with Tito Puente and Ray Barretto.

Multi-instrumentalist, renaissance man, Dr. Gary Bean is also a pediatrician, electrician and world class photographer who is responsible for the classic b&w photographs that grace the walls at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland!

Skylar Tang is among the brightest teenage jazz stars in the country, currently creating memorable moments as pianist/trumpeter with the award-winning SFJAZZ High School All-Stars!

More

The Bay Area-based percussionist and composer brings his sextet with guest trumpeters Bill Ortiz, Ray Vega, Dr. Gary Bean, and Skylar Tang to celebrate the legacy of Latin jazz giants Jerry and Andy González. 

Santos has placed the Bay Area on the cutting edge of Latin Jazz.

East Bay Express

Santos has placed the Bay Area on the cutting edge of Latin Jazz.

East Bay Express

Personnel

John Santos percussion
Saul Sierra bass
Marco Diaz piano, trumpet
Dr. John Calloway flute, piano
Charlie Gurke saxophones
David Flores drums 

SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Gary Bean trumpet, saxophones
Bill Ortiz trumpet
Skylar Tang trumpet, piano
Ray Vega trumpet

There is an inherent rhythmic philosophy ingrained in this music which is as rich and vibrant as the culture which it represents.

All About Jazz

Personnel

John Santos percussion
Saul Sierra bass
Marco Diaz piano, trumpet
Dr. John Calloway flute, piano
Charlie Gurke saxophones
David Flores drums 

SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Gary Bean trumpet, saxophones
Bill Ortiz trumpet
Skylar Tang trumpet, piano
Ray Vega trumpet

There is an inherent rhythmic philosophy ingrained in this music which is as rich and vibrant as the culture which it represents.

All About Jazz

Watch & Listen

John Santos Sextet

Lago Xochimilco

John Santos

Esta Rumba Sí

John Santos Sextet

Lago Xochimilco

John Santos

Esta Rumba Sí

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