Carlos Santana Biography

Carlos Santana is the Hall of Fame guitarist and bandleader who has stayed active in blues and pop for over 40 years. Carlos Santana first recorded with his band Santana in 1969, combining electrified blues guitar and Afro-Cuban rhythms into a groovy, dancable blend. Santana was a big part of the San Francisco music scene, and their hit 1970 album Abraxas has been a reliable seller for three decades. It features some of Santana’s best known songs, including “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va.” The personnel in the band Santana has changed many times over the years, and Carlos has worked with several other popular artists, including Buddy Miles, Herbie Hancock, Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews. In 1999 Santana again made a major splash on the charts with the album Supernatural, which featured the hit single “Smooth.” Santana took home eight Grammy Awards for the album, including record of the year, album of the year, best rock album, and five other awards. It tied Santana with Michael Jackson (and his 1984 album Thriller) for the most Grammy Awards won in one night.