Cindy Blackman Santana: A Drummer’s Journey Through Iconic Bands and Love Onstage

Drummer Cindy Blackman Santana is set to take the stage at The Carlyle Room in Northwest D.C. this weekend, showcasing her powerhouse skills honed from playing with rock legends like Lenny Kravitz and Carlos Santana.

Born in the small town of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Cindy Blackman Santana’s musical journey began with an eclectic mix of funk, jazz, classical, and rock ‘n roll influences. Her formal music education took her to the Hartt School of Music in Hartford and Berklee College of Music in Boston before she embarked on a career that included a stint with The Drifters, a renowned doo-wop and R&B group.

After moving to New York City, a fateful call from musician Lenny Kravitz led to an audition that landed her the role of his touring drummer for almost two decades, a tenure captured in the concert documentary ‘Alive from Planet Earth,’ filmed during a live show in Australia.

During a music festival in Germany in 2005, Cindy crossed paths with her future husband, guitar legend Carlos Santana, kicking off a serendipitous connection that would change both their lives.

Carlos Santana, having seen Cindy perform, invited her to join his band for a performance, and the rest, as they say, is history. Their initial musical connection deepened into a profound spiritual bond that eventually led to marriage. In a stunning on-stage proposal during a Chicago concert on July 9, 2010, Carlos asked Cindy to marry him, cementing their union both on and off the stage.

Fourteen years later, Cindy Blackman Santana continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her masterful drumming skills while sharing a musical and personal journey with her husband, Carlos Santana, that speaks to the transcendent power of music and love.