SANTOS – SKIN TO SKIN
75 minutes
Released March 12, 2022
Produced and Directed by Kathryn Golden & Ashley James
SKIN TO SKIN is a feature documentary about master Latin Jazz percussionist and community activist John Santos. An urban legend, Santos is acknowledged as a “keeper of the Afro-Caribbean flame,” using music to navigate the politics of culture, global migration, and his Puerto Rican heritage
SKIN TO SKIN is saturated with music and features concert performances with Santos, his Sextet and a cadre of international jazz luminaries. The camera follows him through the streets of San Francisco – from rehearsals in his garage to performances at local community centers. And we see Santos in demonstrations supporting housing rights, and gigs with “Congueros” in the barrios of Puerto Rico. Ultimately SKIN TO SKIN is a portrait of an artist who juggles the daily challenges of life: supporting family, creating art and the quest to propel Afro-Caribbean culture onto the world stage.
Starring seven-time Grammy nominee John Santos with appearances by a host of international Latin Jazz musicians.
Produced, directed, and edited by Searchlight Films co-founder Kathryn Golden, the film debuted at the South By Southwest Film Festival in March, 2022.
