Cindy Blackman Santana

Biography

Cindy Blackman Santana, born November 18, 1959, developed an early passion for drumming after moving to Bristol, Connecticut at age 11, where she attended the Hartt School of Music and discovered jazz through Max Roach at 13, receiving her first professional drum set at 14. She studied at Berklee College of Music under Alan Dawson, who taught her idol Tony Williams, but left after three semesters in 1982 following a gig recommendation with The Drifters, relocating to New York City to launch her professional career.[7] Her recording career began in the late 1980s, leading the acoustic Cindy Blackman Quartet and electric ensembles, with standout albums like Works On Canvas (2000), praised for its impressionistic suite and her role as rhythmic engine and colorist.[1]

Blackman Santana's career bridges jazz and rock, marked by collaborations with jazz luminaries like Pharoah Sanders, Ron Carter, Sam Rivers, Cassandra Wilson, Angela Bofill, Buckethead, Bill Laswell, and Joe Henderson, and rock icons. She drummed for Lenny Kravitz from 1992-2007 and 2014-2015 across world tours and hit albums, starting with an impromptu audition for 'Are You Gonna Go My Way.'[1][7] In 2011, she formed Spectrum Road with Vernon Reid, Jack Bruce, and John Medeski to honor Tony Williams' music.[4] Since filling in for Santana in 2010, she joined full-time in 2016, contributing to albums like Power of Peace (2017), In Search of Mona Lisa (2019), Africa Speaks (2019), and Blessings and Miracles (2021), while marrying Carlos Santana in 2010 after meeting at a European festival.[1][3][6]

Renowned as a sound innovator, Blackman Santana blends nuanced colors and soulful power in her playing, pushing creative boundaries across genres. Her legacy includes leading bands, tribute performances like the 2010 Miles Davis 'Bitches Brew' at festivals, and endorsements with Gretsch Drums and Istanbul 'Om' cymbals, establishing her as a versatile virtuoso.[1][5]

Fun Facts

• She landed her long-term gig with Lenny Kravitz after an over-the-phone drum audition from New York to Los Angeles, immediately flying out to shoot the 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' video.
• Carlos Santana proposed to her onstage during a July 2010 concert, leading to their December marriage, sparked by chemistry from her substitute drumming stint earlier that spring.
• At Berklee, a friend's recommendation got her a gig with The Drifters, prompting her to leave college after three semesters and move to NYC in 1982.
• She endorses Gretsch Drums and her signature Istanbul 'Om' cymbals line, reflecting her fusion of jazz nuance and rock power.

Associated Acts

• Spectrum Road
• Jacky Terrasson Quartet - membranophone
• Mike McCready and The Casual Acquaintances - drums (drum set), original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Alan Dawson - drum teacher at Berklee College of Music (private lessons during studies) [early 1980s]
• Tony Williams - primary drumming influence and inspiration (general stylistic influence; Spectrum Road album tribute) [1970s onward]
• Max Roach - early jazz drumming inspiration sparking interest at age 13 (listening influence) [1972]

Key Collaborators

• Lenny Kravitz - touring and recording band drummer (world tours, 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' video and multiple hit albums) [1992-2007, 2014-2015]
• Carlos Santana - spouse, regular touring and recording drummer for Santana band (Power of Peace (2017), In Search of Mona Lisa (2019), Africa Speaks (2019), Blessings and Miracles (2021)) [2010-present (full-time 2016)]
• Vernon Reid, Jack Bruce, John Medeski - supergroup Spectrum Road bandmates (album and tour dedicated to Tony Williams) [2011]
• Pharoah Sanders - jazz performance collaborator (live performances) [1980s onward]
• Ron Carter - jazz performance collaborator (live performances) [1980s onward]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz, #jazz-fusion