A master pianist, composer, arranger, flutist, and player of a multitude of other instruments including the melodica and the accordion, Jovino Santos Neto is one of the top Brazilian musicians working today.  Currently based in Seattle, Washington, Jovino Santos Neto has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal.  He was an integral part of Pascoal's group from 1977-1992 where he fine tuned his artistry and co-produced several legendary records during that time.  His relationship with Hermeto Pascoal continues as his mentor figures prominently in his recent recordings.  Jovino has been nominated twice for a Latin Grammy Award for best Latin Jazz Album, in 2004 and 2006.
Jovino has received commissions by the IAJE, ASCAP, CMA/Doris Duke Foundation, Jack Straw Foundation, Seattle Arts Commission, Artist Trust and Meet the Composer. He was the recipient of a Golden Ear Award as the Best Jazz Instrumentalist of the Pacific Northwest in 2004.

In 2006 Jovino was awarded a grant from Petrobras, the Brazilian State Oil Company, to research, compose and record a new work inspired by the musical universe of Northeastern Brazil. The resulting CD, "Alma do Nordeste" (Soul of the Northeast) was released in 2008 in Brazil and in the US. It features some of the best musicians in Brazil and once again solidifies Jovino's reputation as one of the most creative composers and musicians in activity today.

Since moving to Seattle in 1993, Jovino Santos Neto has continued to tour the world and record prolifically.  From 1994-1997 he was a prominent member of Flora Purim's and Airto Moreira's Fourth World.  In addition he has recorded multiple CD's with his Seattle group, made a masterful CD with Mandolinist Mike Marshall, and in 2006 returned to his native Rio De Janeiro to record his CD "Roda Carioca (Rio Circle)" with an all Brazilian All-Star lineup with special guests Joyce on vocals, and Hermeto Pascoal on multiple instruments, and several other notable Brazilian session musicians and long time colleagues.  In addition, he teaches piano and composition at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and gives lectures worldwide on the music of his country. Jovino Santos Neto is living proof of the fact that the music coming from Brazil is among the most creative in the world.

List of representative works

• 1996: composed most of the music for the CD Caboclo (Jovino Santos Neto Quarteto, Liquid City Records)
• 2000: composed most of the music for the CD Live in Olympia (Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, Liquid City Records)
• 2000: 1-hour long Suite for Jazz Orchestra commissioned by the NDR Jazz Orchestra, Hamburg, Germany.
• 2000: Os Vagalumes for chamber ensemble - commissioned by Musicians Accord / Meet the Composer and premiered at Cornish College.
• 2002: Billyssimo for jazz orchestra - commissioned by IAJE / ASCAP and premiered at the Opening of the IAJE Conference in Long Beach, CA.
• 2002: New Works: Creation and Presentation commission by Chamber Music America / Doris Duke Foundation – music for Canto do Rio CD (Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, Liquid City Records) – Nominated for a Latin Grammy as Best Latin Jazz Album of 2004
• 2005: composed most of the music for the CD Roda Carioca (Adventure Music, 2006) – Nominated for a Latin Grammy as Best Latin Jazz Album of 2006
• 2007: commissioned by Petrobras (Brazil) to research, compose and record a CD based on music of Northeast Brazil – CD Alma do Nordeste (Adventure Music, 2008)

In addition, Jovino has composed many pieces for chamber and jazz ensembles.  A full list of works is available upon request.