Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana is a pioneer in synthesizing musical styles from different cultures. Born in the village of Autlan, Mexico, Santana was introduced at age five to traditional Mexican music by his father, an experienced mariachi violinist. After his family moved to Tijuana and later settled in San Francisco, the Santana Blues Band burst onto the West Coast music scene in the late 1960s. Thirty years later-with more than fifty million records sold, and a record-tying nine Grammy awards in 1999-Santana continues to blend Afro-Cuban rhythms, twelve-bar American blues, and his singular guitar style to capture a diverse international audience.In 2003, Santana was listed as number 15 on Rolling Stone’s list, 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Resources for Teachers and Students

Reflections on Working Towards Peace