Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a renowned Mexican guitarist, composer, singer, and band-leader who played a pivotal role in shaping the concept of "world music" by experimenting with various styles and genres from diverse ethnic sources.
Born on July 20, 1947, in Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico, Santana is one of six children born to José Santana and Josefina Barragán. At the age of 5, he began learning the violin from his father, a professional mariachi violinist, and switched to guitar at 8 when the family moved to Tijuana.
During the late 1950s, Santana played gigs at clubs and bars with various bands along the Tijuana Strip. In 1961, he moved to San Francisco, California, joining his family, which had relocated there the previous year. In 1966, he made his debut with the newly formed Santana Blues Band.
In 1968, Santana was promoted by Bill Graham to play at the famous Fillmore West in San Francisco. His self-titled debut album was released in 1969. Santana's legendary performance at Woodstock Music and Art Festival in 1969 catapulted him to fame, and his psychedelic second album, "Abraxas," reached No. 1 on the album charts and sold over four million copies worldwide.
Santana collaborated with poet and guru Sri Chinmoy and jazz guitarist John McLaughlin in the spiritually innovative album "Love, Devotion, Surrender" (1973). After years of touring, Santana participated in the first-ever joint US-Soviet "Rock'n Roll Summit" in 1987.
Carlos Santana and his wife Deborah started the Milagro Foundation in 1998, which contributed $1.8 million to help underprivileged youths. Santana also contributed the profits of his 2003 "Shaman" tour to fight AIDS.
Santana's album "Supernatural" (1999) is considered his greatest work, winning 11 Grammy Awards and selling over 25 million copies worldwide. It featured hits like "Smooth" and "Maria Maria" and guest artists Rob Thomas, Wyclef Jean, Eric Clapton, and Dave Matthews.
Santana has received numerous accolades, including the Latin Recording Academy's honor as "Person of the Year" in 2004 and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has sold over 90 million records and performed to over 100 million people globally.
