Adriano Santos is at the epicenter of New York’s contemporary Brazilian drummers. Growing up in São Paulo and studying at the acclaimed Zimbo Trio Music School since age twelve, he moved to Boston in 1988 and earned a degree in film scoring at Berklee College of Music. In 1995 he relocated to New York City to pursue a master’s degree at City College and has never turned back. As a professional he has performed with top international artists such as Astrud Gilberto, Gal Costa, Leny Andrade, Maucha Adnet, Romero Lubambo, Helio Alves, Nelson Faria, Leo Gandelman, Paulo Moura, Eumir Deodato, Claudio Roditi, Jovino Santos Neto, John Pizzarelli, Slide Hampton, Harry Allen, David Binney, Cliff Korman, Santi Debriano, Dave Pietro, Vana Gierig, Eileen Ivers, Paul Winter and the Boston Pops, to name a few. He is currently performing with the Vinicius Cantuaria Group, Hendrik Meurkens Samba Jazz Quintet and the Afro-Brazilian band Hanhanhaes.
Adriano’s playing style is typified by a natural clarity, swing and deep-seated groove in the tradition of Airton Moreira and Milton Banana. Mr. Santos has written articles in noted drum magazines and recently released Afro-Caribbean & Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset, a book for Drummers Collective school NYC where he is longstanding faculty. Adriano is artist endorser for Vic Firth sticks, Odery drums and Istanbul Agop cymbals.
