One of the greatest Latin musicians based in the East Bay and creator of the late, acclaimed Machete Ensemble, John Santos brings his current small band to Yoshi’s on Wednesday to preview music from his next CD. Santos will play various percussion instruments — congas, maracas, chekere, and guiro — and lead his tight group through music that touches on Cuban folkloric roots, Latin jazz, and son rhythms, with solos and group improvisations. Joining him are longtime collaborators Orestes Vilato (from the ’80s Santana band) on timbales and bongos, pianist Marcos Diaz, flutist and percussionist John Calloway, and bassist Saul Sierra. Wednesday, July 11. 8 p.m. ($16, all ages) and 10 p.m. ($10). Yoshis.com
.Latin-Jazz Saints
John Santos at Yoshi's.