Octavio N. Santos | trumpeter / horn arranger

It’s gonna be Ma…wait…it is May! Are you hitting up The Romantic Tour when @brunomars pulls up to the city? When the concert is done, why not pull up to @mauricemobettabrown ’s after party? 🎺✊ Those who were in spontaneous attendance in 2023 know how that party goes down all the way UP!!! 🎉🎊🍾 Swipe through to refresh your memory banks. ⏪ Instead of this being a spur of the moment deal, it’s going to be official. It’s MOBETTA & FRIENDS: THE AFTER PARTY at @dromtaberna on Sunday, May 24. Tickets are now available. Get it while it’s hot…you’ll never know who might show up. 😉 Link in my bio. ⛓️‍💥🎟️ Don’t miss out on one of May’s biggest music parties that Toronto has to offer. 🫡

I’VE WORKED ON ONE!!! I just found out that I’ve participated in my very first Gold Record recognized album. @inglewoodsir ’s “Chasing Summer” has reached Gold status and you can find my horn work on “That’s Why I Love You” featuring @sabrinaclaudio . Thank you to @lordquestmusic for producing this gem and calling me aboard to lace up. I’m truly grateful for this. 🙏 500,000 units+ in the U.S. is a lot. I’m glad ears enjoyed this body of work. 😊 God is good! 🙏🙏🙏

You can find my horns on “High Note” off @lupefiasco ’s “Samurai DX” featuring @luvmooreofficial , produced by @soundtrakk . If you saw Lupe’s “Samurai Tour” in 2024, you may have already heard a slice of this…and ME! 🎺🎺🎺 ⏪ Soundtrakk started following in 2018. Exasperated, knowing his works…who am I though?! I emailed him my discog with my interest to work. We got on a call in early 2021 and caught up on life (and its curveballs) and ended the call on a…high note. Every time Lupe released an album, I say would say, “I wish I was a part of this!” (Re: “Drill Music In Zion” and “Samurai”). 3 days before the “Samurai” release I was put on notice that I’d be on the next one. Ok bet. ⏩ Lupe was ready to tour in October 2024 and Soundtrakk hit me with work that was to be the tour intro. 4 hours before my birthday, I finished recording 30 minutes before I was to meet @kings416 and we were to see our homie @mauricemobettabrown (a cool hang ensued with @anderson._paak @israelshoots and @josemrios after midnight! 🎂). In the mix I was recording horns to score a theatrical production of @baronessfloellabenjamin ’s @comingtoengland and that was hectic! When my mother got sick in November 2024, this was the last thing I recorded (besides the score work) and I took a hiatus from studio work/gigs. Only recently have I got my footing again. Not many noticed as I tried to immerse myself in music in other ways while my sister and I looked after mom because I never wanted to lose my spark. It was difficult for my mental already with the goings on, but music on the back burner that I also love was hard. This is why “High Note” means a lot and it feels like I’m now leaving you this post on a…high note! 😊 Thank you to Lupe Fiasco and Soundtrakk for having me be a part of this. I’m truly grateful as I’m a fan of you both. Soundtrakk, you never miss, pare. 🎯 Love you, bro. ❤️🙏 Thank you to Leanna and Ryan of @popmusicto for saving me their last copy! 🙏 They’ve ordered another for me to frame. 😄 It shows out of stock but they may be able to get some in for you still! “Samurai DX” is available on all streaming platforms. Keep perusing the essentials of cool. 😎✌️

Mission 13 - “Change The Rules” (feat. @kaiditatham ) Back at it with my let me tell you later…and I’m behind in a lot of that. 🫤 This was the third accepted mission from Martin “@atjazzofficial ” Iveson and with a call 2 months after the second. As soon as I saw the name Kaidi on the body of the email, I was so excited!! I was asked to embark on another mission, a month before that and I sadly didn’t get a chance to join in what became the beautifully crafted “Give Love” featuring @erin_buku , as I was in the middle of two projects. The joint is charged with that broken beat flavour of West London. Both Atjazz and Kaidi did all the heavy lifting, and I just swooped in to sprinkle some hornage. 🎺 I was tasked with strengthening some of the parts, and I ended up using the flugelhorn to punch those in. After that I thought of other lines to insert as I wanted a bit more presence on the record with the trumpet. Of course my partner in horn crime for this album, @benhadwen , hit the sax and brightened up the flute work. 🎷🪈 Kaidi sent me a message enthused about what transpired when I tagged him on an IG story sneak peek, garnering a seal of approval. 😊 Kaidi is one of my favourite, most accomplished and premier producers out of the UK, with a skill so unparalleled, as a gifted multi-instrumentalist. I’ve been a massive fan of his since his Agent K release of “Feed The Cat” and of course being once part of a massive squad of the Bugz In The Attic crew. I’m always in awe with the musicality in his many lush and vibrant productions. To be acclaimed as “the UK’s Herbie Hancock” shows to what he’s capable of in keyboard dexterity and musical prowess. Seeing him link with @djjazzyjeff to continuously create fantastic compositions brings me joy. I have nothing but gratitude to be able to be sandwiched in this collabo. 🙏 If you’ve been under a rock, “Starbase 17” is out on all available platforms, and the limited triple 12” vinyl is still available if you can manage to get your hands on ‘em. Don’t sleep. Link in bio. I’ve already talked about “Twin Flame” as my fifth, and last mission in 2025, so I’m left with the fourth one. But I’ll talk about that later. 😉

I don’t need to see Disneyland. LuLuLand is where it’s at! @surpriselab has had their pop-up for over a month now and as a pig aficionado (because they’re so cute and smart), I make my pit stops to feed my inner pig nerd, a discovery made last year just passing by @mrsurprisetoys . 🐷🤓 @luluthepiggy_official is quite the celebrity and I got to meet my spirit animal. 😬 The pop-up is still open until the end of the month if you’re looking for your cute piggy needs! Check them out! 🥰 When my new studio is built, I’m hoping to get it outfitted with a theme. I’ll retire “The Groove Cafeteria” and will call it “The Pig Pen” 🐖 🖊️ if that’s the case. 😂😬 P.S. I’ve got some photo booth cards to give away that’s good until May 30, if I’m not mistaken. Holla! 👋

April, 2026 edition. Swipe away! The month had me jammed, but that’s the journey. I was able to learn new transformational things and must continue to put them into practice. 🙏 April showers bring May flowers, and I think next month is going to be exciting! 💐🌸🌻🌺 New music on the way!!!!! 4 down, 8 to go… ✌️

Mission 22 - “Let’s Talk” (feat. @omar_lyefook & @maxbeesley7 ) You can put a crown on me because I’m the king of I’ll tell you LATER. This was the second “Starbase 17” assignment I accepted from Martin “@atjazzofficial ” Iveson. I was ecstatic to discover the two legendary features. Supporting horn work was needed in a production already lush with instrumentation. I had to ensure where to place the ideal interjections. Having been bestowed the title of “UK’s Godfather of Neo-Soul” (we now know how pigeonholing that genre is, Re: @saadiqmoves - I only preface this for him being renowned), I’ve been a great fan of Omar’s. My intro to his music you’d think would be his classic “There’s Nothing Like This”, but nope! @mjcole released a mix for the “Back To Mine” series and he had Omar’s “Tell Me” in his selection. When I introed myself at a private party in 2016, he replied with, “Oh yeah…Santos, right?”. It was cool to have recognition of my guvy. 😊 One of the hardest working cats who has a stellar music career of 40 years, and continues to run with full steam! Proof is his soulful display on this track. Max Beesley I recognized because my listening is hugely influenced by @incognito_world . “100 and Rising” had him on drums, percussion and Fender Rhodes work. I was unaware of his proficiency on the vibraphone and how successful his acting career has been. Check him in the @appletv + series “Hijack” starring @idriselba . We get the aura of @royayerssunshine and then some with that Beesley swagger, traversing through notes with agility. After laying down my horn ideas, @benhadwen jumped in with sax work to add volume. I knew of Ben through hearing his work with @mr_beatnick on the flute for “Tribute To Diamond D” (you may know as The S.O.S. Band’s “Faded Lady” or @bustarhymes and @therealswizzz ’s “New York Shit”). It was cool knowing that I was rocking that “Shhhhh Edit” before I ended up pairing with him for this song that feels like a sunny day, while walking and conversing for a park date. “Starbase 17” is now available on limited triple 12” on @bandcamp (link in bio) and other retailers. Don’t miss out! Love and gratitude to those who support the groove! ❤️🚀

Two weeks ago, during the hustle and bustle of JUNO week, I was cordially invited by @beatchildmusic to be one of the featured artists of his art installation, spotlighting the release of his music management @supercrate.app at @collectivebrew . Beatchild had an in-conversation with @maiadaviesmusic regarding the path to her music career and how she had achieved music success. He also set up a hub of synths and samplers, as he dished out acappellas for musicians to jump in on and remix on the spot. It was great to see esteemed colleagues in the music scene, collectively sharing ideas, brandishing the weapons that they’ve mastered, over tacos and drinks, as well as the networking. @officialbiggsoxx finished off the event by unveiling some beats in the vault alongside @richkiddbeats and Solitair dropping some rhymes. It was nice to see everyone I haven’t seen in awhile as well as new faces in the mix. Knowing Saukrates was headed to the JUNOs, I told him afterwards that he needed to get ready and suit up, as he sported a @scarboroughshootingstars sweater. He replied by saying that was his suit! 😄 Lo and behold I see him wearing the exact same sweater, winning “Rap Single of the Year” at the 2026 @thejunoawards for @sincerelytobi ’s “Who’s Driving You?” that features him alongside @missjullyblack , produced by @illmindproducer and @iamdonmills . Congratulations for bringing that home! It was a hilarious chat afterwards. He can tell a story and gives quite sage advice! 😂🎭🪄 I was happy to see Beatchild again. Thank you for inviting me, brother. ❤️🙏 So much time had passed since I last saw him and I’m hoping there’s not much of that gap the next time. Congrats on the release of SUPERCRATE and I’m looking forward to “Soul Movement Vol. 3”! ✌️ Slide 8 📸 courtesy of @tungztwisted and slide 11 🎥 courtesy of @rain___waves . 🫡

March, 2026 edition. Swipe away! Oohwee was last month eventful and busy, but it came and went with a snap of a finger! Grateful for it all. 🙏This upcoming month is about to get busier. IG, you need to extend these carousels to more than 20 slides. Stay nerdy, because I will! 🤓 3 down, 9 to go… ✌️

Last week (and some change) was a great time for laughs! I seldomly attend comedy shows, and have only been to a select few. The initial plan was to hit up this particular show with a homie, but he was committed to an electronic music event and was possibly on E. Kidding to him being on E…? 🤔😛 The weather was on a weird spell where I thought we were in the clear. WRONG! We got snowed on and the timing was impeccable. 🫤 I dropped @siennahubertross a line (no I didn’t ask how big it was…IYKYK 😂) to tell her that she chose a terrible day to pull up to Toronto, but I was still enthused to see her on stage. The New York-based comedian, actor, and writer, relayed her displeasure in how brutal her travel was, and thanked me in advance for attending. Coming from Syracuse, her IG stories showed flight delays, to which I said that I hoped there wasn’t an impending cancelation. She ensured that it wouldn’t be the case and later followed up that she was en route because the show must go on! 8 days garnered a total of 300+ tickets sold, spread across 2 nights at the Danworth, Dansforth…err, Danforth. 😂 Toronto knew who they were waiting for. The host and the opener set the tone for the evening as they were incredibly hilarious! 😂 Once everything was warmed up for the main event, Sienna took to the stage and started it off with singing a slice of our national anthem. 😄🇨🇦 It was unfiltered and no holds barred as she fed off the crowd energy. She engaged with those at the front and followed through with quick witted punchlines at their expense, if she wasn’t pulling out jokes from her bag. Points were made and laughs were produced. Our “nation” was in stitches throughout! 😂 It was nice meeting Sienna afterwards. I had a desktop drum kit that I found at a bookstore and was tempted to use a rim shot sound effect on a punchline during her set, but didn’t wanna risk getting the DJ Jazzy Jeff/Uncle Phil treatment. 😅 Thanks for the ink, love back to ya, and hopefully you had the right pronunciation of “The Danforth” mastered by the end of the second night. Thanks for trying though! 😂🫶

Better late than never. I can never clear my phone as fast as happenings occur. This was actually the first concert event I witnessed for 2026 in early February, and it was well needed! 😌 @vennagram made a stop for his North American “MALIK” tour to display the new album that he released on my birthday last year. If you’ve already heard it, you know that it’s quite a remarkable release that takes you on a sonic excursion of elegance and emotions. The same energy was provided, and then some, during a blistering Toronto cold. 🥶 He pulled up with some of the baddest cats around: @ptrbass 🔊🎸 @jacobmcgibbon 🎸 @idrismusiq 🎹 @domfor_short 🥁 There was a fitting warmth conveyed when things would start off, but would then kick into overdrive where it massively hit you like a ton of bricks, all the while the melodic sax work bringing about a spiritual and graceful embrace. There would be conflict as a listener…you want to break your neck on the groove, but also want to close your eyes and experience zen. You ear pick and choose your moments. Venna also delivered his beautiful rendition of John Coltrane’s “Naima” that really captivated the senses in an ethereal manner. It was great seeing Venna once again, as the last encounter was a quick dinner alongside @carlos.alexander___ and @rocco_palladino at @paitoronto 2 years ago (you know how I enjoy bringing the cool cats there). 😊 With a decorated discography of works he’s contributed to, Venna’s debut album offering and venture as a solo artist shows us that he’ll be making a mark in a promising music career up ahead. Keep watching and listening! 🫡 ✌️

February, 2026 edition. Swipe away! Continuing on with some nerdy vibes. 🐷✨ I remain terrible with the IG posting, but hopefully I can clear my phone of archived material soon. First concert I witnessed for the year will follow on the next post. 🎷 Projects are starting to pick up…I’ll keep quiet for now. News in due time. 😊 Next month will be lock in mode. 🎺 2 down, 10 to go… ✌️