John Santos has performed and recorded with Eddie Palmieri, Cal Tjader, Lalo Schifrin, Irakere West, Danilo Perez, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Max Roach, Los Papines and Ignacio Berroa. His passion for Afro-Latin music and its place in history make him a sought-after author, teacher and speaker. John serves on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop, contributes frequently to the international music press, and conducts clinics worldwide on polyrhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil.

John is a life-long resident of the California Bay Area. He is the founder and director of the Machete Ensemble, renown for integrating traditional Afro-Latin forms with contemporary instrumentation and vibrant arrangements. The band has performed at the Havana Jazz Festival, and has shared the stage with such artists as Cachao, Armando Peraza, Chocolate Armenteros, Francisco Aquabella, Carlos Santana, Orestes Vilato and Steve Turre. Machete Ensemble has released several albums and John has completed one with pianist Omar Sosa.

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