Charleston native and Grammy-winning drummer-composer Quentin E. Baxter joins Brazilian guitar virtuoso Chico Pinheiro in a celebration of Moacir Santos—the visionary Brazilian composer whose album Ouro Negro (Black Gold) reshaped the sound of jazz across the Americas. Baxter, a founding member of Ranky Tanky and a steward of the Gullah musical tradition, and Pinheiro, who was born and raised in São Paulo, infuse their performances with personal histories and improvisational flair. Together with their ensemble, they reinterpret Santos’ music in a transcendent evening of rhythm, melody, and cross-cultural dialogue. This rare collaboration is a vibrant celebration of innovation, heritage, and artistry—not to be missed.

Quentin E. Baxter, drums and percussion
Chico Pinheiro, guitar
Dave Heywood, flute and digital wind instrument
Mark Sterbank, tenor saxophone
Laura Meccia, baritone saxophone
Matt White, trumpet
Andrae Murchison, trombone
Demetrius Doctor, piano and organ
Rodney Jordan, acoustic and electric bass
Gino Castillo, percussion

About Quentin E. Baxter
Quentin E. Baxter is a Charleston, South Carolina–based drummer, producer, and cultural leader whose life has been shaped by music from childhood. Raised in a family of drummers, Baxter has earned two Grammy Awards (2019, 2022) and five total Grammy nominations as a producer and performer, along with numerous honors, including the South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts and a City of Charleston proclamation declaring “Quentin E. Baxter Day.” Baxter tours internationally with Grammy-nominated vocalist René Marie and the Grammy-winning group Ranky Tanky, and has performed at leading venues and festivals worldwide, including the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Spoleto Festival USA. As a bandleader, his debut album Art Moves Jazz reached the Top 20 on Jazz Charts. Deeply committed to arts education and advocacy, Baxter has long championed jazz history, community engagement, and the presentation of world-class music in the Lowcountry.

Attendance at all events is subject to the Festival security policy.

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