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MSQ

featuring

Manny Santos

  Photography: Susan Wilson

Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Manuel "Manny" Santos became interested in jazz percussion at an early age. He studied with Laurier "Chic" Boucher and began performing professionally at age 15.

Manny moved to Boston in 1971 to attend Northeastern University's College of Pharmacy and became a registered pharmacist in 1976. While at NU, Manny spent much of his time at the New England Conservatory and Berklee Schools of Music attending some classes and performing with many of the instructors. It is also during this time period when Manny became a proficient conga-drum player after studying with Les Lumley and Brandon Guillermo. This 20-year stay in the Boston area provided fertile ground for his further development and maturity as a musician. He continued to develop a creative and inspirational platform, constantly introducing new ideas into the music, taking his fellow musicians on a journey. He has since gone on to receive his MBA degree in Marketing.
 

Manny has a host of musical credits and affiliations spanning an over 30-year musical career. He has worked with many artists including Andre Ward, Maurice Starr, Donald Harrison, John Ross, Perry "Tiny" Tavares, Jackie Byard, Semenya McCord, Ran Blake, Harriet Kennedy, Rebecca Parris, Ricki Ford, Webster Lewis, Sabby Lewis, Toni Lynn Washington, and Armsted Christian (to name but a few).

Manny has performed in many of the Boston area's well-known jazz venues including Ryles Jazz Bar, Scullers, the Fairmont Hotel Oak Room, the Mall at Chestnut Hill, Wally's, and the Prudential Top of the Hub.

Manny has performed at society events such as those to benefit the American Diabetes Association, the Massachusetts Advocacy for Children, New Orleans Katrina Relief efforts, and numerous concerts at Steppin' Out (fund raisers for the Dimock Community Health Center). Manny has also shared the stage with Felicia Rashad for the Casa Myrna Vazquez, Maya Angelou for the Jewish Fund for Justice, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith for the Victory House, with 6-time Grammy Award Nominee Kurt Elling at the Democratic National Convention, and opened for Gladys Knight at the Fairmont Copley Hotel.

Manny has done much trio work as the original drummer and marketing director of The Steve Soares Trio. During this time period he performed 5 nights a week at the Westin Hotel Turner Fisheries Lounge and rotated weekends at the Colonnade, Lafayette (now the Hyatt), Four Seasons, and Crown Plaza Hotels. Manny would also "fill in" with The Art Matthews Trio as well as free-lance with various musicians who would seek his poly-rhythmic expertise.

Recently Manny returned "back to his roots" where he performed and developed a musical network spanning the Cape Cod-Rhode Island areas. He performed in trio with saxophonist-composer Rick Britto and pianist-composer Matt Richard.

                   Photography: Susan Wilson

"What a treat! Great performance. You guys may be the best well kept secret in town........."

Dr. Sal Dahlben, Chestnut Hill, MA

Manny appears on several recordings;... with flutist Treg Monty and pianist Yasko Kubota, "No Place To Hide," (cdfreedom.com); The Geoffrey Hicks Quartet, "Cartagena," (Amazon.com); with Willie Sordillo, "Echoing," (Amazon.com); and with Candida Rose, "KabuMerikana-The Sum of Me," (cdbaby.com).

This drummer-extraordinaire has truly been Blessed with an innate musical ability. Manny feels that his music is most spiritual and is most meaningful when shared with you, the audience.