A beloved San Francisco native and internationally acclaimed percussionist, John Santos has spent five decades preserving and innovating Afro-Latin music. Raised in a family of Puerto Rican and Cape Verdean roots, Santos’ music is steeped in tradition yet speaks to the present. A respected educator, cultural scholar, and performer, he has graced stages with legends such as Tito Puente, Cachao, Dizzy Gillespie, and Carlos Santana. 

“As an eternal student of life and music, it’s an honor to be part of Carnaval San Francisco,” said Santos. “This tradition honors the roots of Carnaval in the Americas by celebrating and empowering the community with creativity, resilience, inclusion, solidarity, and music that moves the world.” 

It should also be noted, Santos is a pioneer of Carnaval San Francisco, being one of the original organizing committee members in 1978 for the first parade around Precita Park that grew into the awesome current cultural spectacle it has become. He has performed in the Festival and Parade countless times over the decades.