Jovino earned a degree in Biology, from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and later from Macdonald College of McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
In 1977 he joined the group led by the legendary Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal, working as a pianist, flutist, composer, arranger and producer. Since leaving Hermeto's group in 1992 and relocating to the United States, he has released several recordings and toured internationally as the leader of his own ensemble and also in collaboration with musicians such as Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, and Mike Marshall.
Santos-Neto teaches at Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts and is also a frequent teacher at Jazz Camp West.