On July 20th 1947 a little boy was born in Autlan de Navarro Mexico. His father, a mariachi violinist, named the child Carlos. From the age of five Carlos learned to play the violin, at eight he took up the guitar. Even Carlos' younger brother Jorge learned the instruments. Carlos was greatly influenced by both his father and the famous Ritchie Valens, a Mexican musician who say, wrote and played the guitar. He also found himself drawn to musicians such as B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix and Mike Bloomfield. In fact, Carlos considered Mike Bloomfield a direct mentor all through his life.
The Santana family eventually moved to Tijuana and then further north into California. While in high school Carlos took guitar lessons from one of Mexico's most famous guitarists, Javier Batiz. Carlos adopted the unique style of guitar soloing of his teacher and made it his own. The family was now living in San Francisco, where both boys were being exposed to jazz and folk music on a large scale. For Carlos in particular, his rise to stardom began on one day in 1966 when Paul Butterfield was too intoxicated to play his set in a concert series. Through a series of switches in schedule and an impromptu band was put together containing musicians from the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and several unknown guitarists. Carlos Santana was one of those guitarists. Music giant Bill Graham was impressed with Carlos' talents and hooked him up with other talented musicians.
Later that same year Carlos Santana formed the Santana Blues Band, and played several venues to rave reviews. Of course the one single event that vaulted the band to the world stage was the 1969 Woodstock. The band had a very distinctive sound that incorporated Latin rock, jazz, blues, salsa and African rhythms. Through his music Carlos was expressing his heritage as a Mexican born musician and including the sounds of his current environment as well. After Woodstock, the Santana band was offered a record deal by Columbia Records and the rest is history so-to-speak.
The Santana band has released 21 studio albums, seven live albums, 32 singles and 21 compilation albums. As a solo artist Carlos Santana has released seven studio albums, three live albums, five singles and six compilation albums. Several albums by the band have gone gold, platinum and diamond. Carlos has also been recognized for his own talents through many awards over his career. The most awards he has received in one year was in 2000 for songs from the album Smooth and Supernatural. Smooth was recognized as Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Supernatural was awarded Album of the Year and Best Rock Album.
Carlos Santana is truly a gifted musician who has not been afraid to push the boundaries of music. His talent has afforded him a unique perspective on his heritage, one that he is obviously proud to showcase through his guitar.
The Santana family eventually moved to Tijuana and then further north into California. While in high school Carlos took guitar lessons from one of Mexico's most famous guitarists, Javier Batiz. Carlos adopted the unique style of guitar soloing of his teacher and made it his own. The family was now living in San Francisco, where both boys were being exposed to jazz and folk music on a large scale. For Carlos in particular, his rise to stardom began on one day in 1966 when Paul Butterfield was too intoxicated to play his set in a concert series. Through a series of switches in schedule and an impromptu band was put together containing musicians from the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and several unknown guitarists. Carlos Santana was one of those guitarists. Music giant Bill Graham was impressed with Carlos' talents and hooked him up with other talented musicians.
Later that same year Carlos Santana formed the Santana Blues Band, and played several venues to rave reviews. Of course the one single event that vaulted the band to the world stage was the 1969 Woodstock. The band had a very distinctive sound that incorporated Latin rock, jazz, blues, salsa and African rhythms. Through his music Carlos was expressing his heritage as a Mexican born musician and including the sounds of his current environment as well. After Woodstock, the Santana band was offered a record deal by Columbia Records and the rest is history so-to-speak.
The Santana band has released 21 studio albums, seven live albums, 32 singles and 21 compilation albums. As a solo artist Carlos Santana has released seven studio albums, three live albums, five singles and six compilation albums. Several albums by the band have gone gold, platinum and diamond. Carlos has also been recognized for his own talents through many awards over his career. The most awards he has received in one year was in 2000 for songs from the album Smooth and Supernatural. Smooth was recognized as Record of the Year and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Supernatural was awarded Album of the Year and Best Rock Album.
Carlos Santana is truly a gifted musician who has not been afraid to push the boundaries of music. His talent has afforded him a unique perspective on his heritage, one that he is obviously proud to showcase through his guitar.
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