Amoeba Music and CIIS Public Programs & Performances present Not in Our Name: Dia de Los Muertos Concert with The John Santos Sextet on October 27th at the Brava Theatre in San Francisco.

"Perhaps the most innovative Latin Jazz group playing today outside Cuba...highly innovative, intimately explosive."

— East Bay Express

Five-time Grammy nominee and USA Fontanals Fellow, John Santos, and his stellar Sextet shed light on the historical and cultural significance of Latin Jazz, as well as its aesthetic characteristics pertaining to instrumentation, rhythm, interpretation and improvisation. Organized in 2003, they specialize in educational presentations from lecture/demonstrations to detailed clinics focusing on any number of relevant subjects such as composition, arrangement, rhythmic development, stylistic interpretation, studio performance, etc. Their repertoire consists of exciting arrangements from Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the US, as well as original compositions. Their first CD, Papa Mambo, was released on John's Machete Records label in the summer of 2007. Their second CD, Perspectiva Fragmentada, was released in October, 2008. Equally at home with a dance or concert repertoire, the John Santos Sextet presents a wide range of styles and rhythms for audiences of all ages.

Don't miss your chance to see this dynamic group! Get your tickets HERE!

Among the many artists up for a Grammy this year is longtime Bay Area Latin jazz musician John Santos, whose 2009 anti-war themed album La Guerra No (Machete Records) is nominated under the the Best Traditional World Music category. This is actually not the first time in his career that the Afro-Latin percussionist has been nominated for such an award, but if he wins, it will be the first time he will have won.

Santos is also an in demand music lecturer on the college circuit, and like the seasoned musician and music industry veteran he is, he takes it all in stride, with a sense of realism and a wait-and-see attitude. Should the Grammy be granted to him this weekend, it will be something he'll share the glory of with the (literally) dozens of other artists from various other countries who collaborated and contributed to this powerful album that took a five year period to record and produce.

Earlier today I caught up the busy artist to ask him about his career to date, what went into the making of La Guerra No, and whether or not he will be heading down to LA for Sunday night's big event, the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.

Amoeblog: How many times have you been nominated for a Grammy?

John Santos: This is the fifth time.

Amoeblog: And how does it feel to be nominated?

John Santos: It's an honor.

Amoeblog: For those who may not be aware of your prolific body of work, can you briefly run down your rich musical history?