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As an artist I feel driven more and more everyday to really find myself and find out what I can do each and every day to bring people closer together... We definitely all do understand one language, and that is the language of music.
-Salvador Santana |
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By Bradly Bifulco
When asked about his inspiration, Salvador immediately makes note of both parents. "My Dad, of course, has said practice, practice, practice, and given me some crazy analogies, food for thought. That's like his thing, so I always get that from him, and he's said multiple things that I've definitely taken with me over the years. So has my Mom, not as much in regards to music, but with writing and in regards to life itself, she's definitely been my mentor." As Sal leans back in his chair, he begins to relax. He starts to open up about the folks outside his blood who have really affected him. "I think musically the people who have had the most influence on me who I've met and had the chance to sit down and speak to have definitely been people like Wayne Shorter. I mean, the name itself, you know; he's just an incredible human being. He has interesting ways of speaking to you, but if you catch on to what he's trying to say, it can be the most amazing thing ever. And he told me one time to keep doing what I do and to not let anyone tell me differently. Don't let them try to convince you that what you are doing is not good. Just keep believing in yourself. So that was definitely really nice to hear from someone as amazing as him. And definitely for me, even more than Wayne, only because this guy plays piano and we share the same instrument, is Herbie Hancock. He's definitely one of the most humble people you will ever meet. I mean, if I had his talent, I'd be the most egotistical person in the world. He comes up to me and says, 'Man, I loved your playing.' I was like, 'Oh my God, Herbie Hancock said he liked my playing! Jeez, I think I'm gonna go sit down and have a beer and think about that.' So for me, within the past year, those two have had the most influence on me. With their kind words and kind wisdom, they've helped me really understand that what I'm doing is what I'm supposed to be doing."
Salvador & Carlos Santana :: By Hal Miller |
So what exactly is it that Salvador Santana is trying to do? "I'm trying to do things where I can get a handful of people to say not 'look at me' but 'check this out,' and to help distract them from the negativity and heal them with music. There's a lot of crazy crap going on in the world - the hurricane, the war in Iraq, AIDS and diseases in Africa. So I feel like music is like Tylenol, where it's a remedy and it does cure, but it's more of a guarantee than Tylenol. Because Tylenol - it comes and it goes. It's only temporary, but music can heal, depending on what type of impact you have, it can be forever." This idea of "healing" has long been associated with the Santana name. Carlos's music is regarded as some of the most spiritual rock ever made. From his early "Soul Sacrifice" days to his work with the Mahavishnu John McLaughlin to his more mainstream output of today, Carlos has always struck a chord that speaks to bigger things. This is the topic that really makes Sal's eyes sparkle. "By the power of music and by my drive to want to heal people and to get them to understand that music is how we are going to change the world. Maybe not fully create 'Peace on Earth,' but we can at least have a good number, a good fraction of the world understand that music is what will help us distract ourselves from the bullshit that is going on in the world. It's so powerful; it's a huge phenomenon, and it's wonderful to be a part of that. As an artist, I feel driven more and more everyday to really find myself and to find out what I can do each and every day to bring people closer together. We definitely all do understand one language, and that is the language of music."
As Sal was getting ready to head into rehearsal with his Dad's band, I asked him one last question: "What's one thing you think the world could use more of?"
"Awareness. I think some people are blinded by the truth, and I think it would be in their best interest to really do the research to understand what is going on right now as opposed to just believing what people say. I think music is one way to really help people understand what's going on, and the truth of that is that even though there's a lot of suffering, it's good to acknowledge that. It's good to know that no matter how bad of a day you are having, someone is having a worse one, and no matter how good of a day you are having, somebody else is always having a better day too. I feel that people should definitely broaden their awareness, and one of the best ways to do that is to listen to more music."
Amen.
Salvador Santana Tour Dates
10.08 | Don Haskins Center El Paso, TX (with Robert Randolph and Santana)
10.09 | Journal Pavillion Albuquerque, NM (with Robert Randolph and Santana)
10.10 | The Club House Tempe, AZ (with Robert Randolph and Santana)
10.11 | Anselmo Valencia Ampitheatre Tuscon, AZ (with Robert Randolph and Santana)
10.12 | Coors Ampitheatre Chula Vista, CA (with Robert Randolph and Santana)
10.13 | The Viper Room Los Angeles, CA
10.14 | Home Depot Center Carson, CA (with Robert Randolph and Santana)
10.16 | Chronicle Pavillion Concord, CA (with Robert Randolph and Santana)
10.20 | Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, CA
10.21 | Blake's Berkely, CA
11.17 | Bimbo's San Francisco, CA
11.18 | The Little Fox Redwood City, CA
12.02 | The Fillmore San Francisco, CA (with Ozomatli)
12.03 | The Fillmore San Francisco, CA (with Ozomatli)
12.05 | Buchanan Hall Arcata, CA (with Ozomatli)
12.06 | Catalyst Club Santa Cruz, CA (with Ozomatli)
12.08 | Cal State Sacramento, CA (with Ozomatli)
12.09 | House of Blues Las Vegas, NV(with Ozomatli)
12.10 | Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ (with Ozomatli)
12.11 | Rialto Theatre Tucson, AZ (with Ozomatli)
12.18 | Glasshouse Pomona, CA
12.20 | House of Blues Los Angeles, CA
JamBase | San Francisco
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