Setting the tempo

Sean McCarthy

His drumming talents have earned him international recognition and his music future is certainly promising, but for New Bedford’s Joaquin Santos, being successful as a musician means being a success as a human being.

The 34-year-old has learned that skills behind the drum kit require skills away from the drum kit.

Five years ago, Santos’ face was on display in music stores around the globe, selling products for the world’s premier cymbal manufacturer, Zildjian Cymbals. At the same time he was featured on social media as the model for the company’s fashion line. Zildjian was impressed enough with his playing and his good looks to make him the face of their marketing strategy.

Yet while his image may be international, Santos’s most valued experiences often come locally. In addition to seeing steady benefits as a drummer in multiple music outfits, he relishes the personal rewards that come from educating young people in the art of drumming. While his skills have taken him to many stages and studios, his heart belongs to the classroom, shaping young lives through education in music and life.

“I want to someday have my own music ministry where I can go all over the world and teach kids how to play music,” he says. “Music is healing to the soul, and every young kid should learn how to play an instrument.”

Santos’s vision has already taken root. He currently offers private lessons to aspiring youths in the South Coast, and his education resume includes three years of teaching at the Fall River Arts Academy. For the past two summers he has taught a seminar at Berklee College of Music’s “Groove School.”

“The most gratifying feeling I get from anything I’ve ever been involved in is when you take a young person with little or no experience on an instrument and you see them blossom, hone in on their craft, and get better and better,” Santos says.

But the lessons Santos imparts go beyond sticks and skins. He puts an emphasis on character and discipline as well.

“As a musician, you’ve got to always show good character. No matter how talented you are, if you’re not a nice person people won’t want to play with you. You need to treat people with respect and be responsible, show up on time. You need to be receptive to criticism with the goal of improving. Every gig is an audition for another gig.”

Santos is currently the drummer for The Dope Lotus, a group playing R&B, soul, and funk. The band’s self-titled album was released in 2019, and is available on all major streaming services.

ROLL SNARE

Santos knows about gigs. For 13 years he has been the drummer for Radiance, a 10-piece group that performs at weddings and high-end events, from ritzy Boston hotels to Vermont ski resorts to Newport mansions.

In addition to Radiance, Santos has been the drummer for locally-based bands playing original music. He was a member of Cadbury Diesel, a band that put him in the company of Devin Lima, a former member of the group LFO, which achieved fame with the song “Summer Girls.” That group gave Santos “a taste of the big stage,” playing dates along the East Coast, and receiving write-ups from Billboard and AMP magazines.

Santos is currently the drummer for The Dope Lotus, a group playing R&B, soul, and funk. The band’s self-titled album was released in 2019, and is available on all major streaming services.

Santos has also had the opportunity to play with the group Tavares, including a show in Santiago, Chile to 12,000 people in 2019.

“Being a professional musician requires a lot of effort and dedication. You can’t be complacent,” he says.

“You’ve got to practice every day, keeping up your stamina and learning new songs.”

But there is another major factor in Santos’ success – his genetics. His father, Jackie Santos, is an accomplished drummer and a full-time professor at Berklee College of Music. He has been a constant source of inspiration for his son, buying him his first drum kit at the age of three.

“My father is someone I’ve always looked up to. I’m fortunate to have his influence,” he says. “He inspires me to achieve greatness and that keeps me disciplined and practicing to get to the next level. It’s great when he comes to my shows and I can see on his face that he’s loving it. It feels great to think that he’s proud of me.”

The father and son were recently the focus of a feature story in Drum Head magazine, written by New Bedford-based drummer Tom O’Leary, titled “Like Father And Son.”

“Joaquin is an excellent drummer, and a great young man with a great personality,” says Wali Ali, an accomplished jazz guitarist from Boston who has included Santos in his band. “He’s focused and has a good head on his shoulders. He wants to be a great musician and I think he’ll be successful.”

“Joaquin is always prepared. He’s loyal and responsible,” says guitarist Sal DiFusco, a Berklee professor who plays with Santos in Radiance. “He’s got a vibrant personality and he’s very funny.” “

It feels great when people are enjoying what you do,” Santos says. “One reason why I want to share music with young people is that in this crazy world it’s important to give them something to gravitate towards. Not everybody has had the opportunities I have had. At the end of the day my true passion is to help people, and hopefully I can do that around the world.”