It must have been a stunned crowd that witnessed Carlos Santana‘s very public proposal to this then girlfriend (now fiancee): drummer Cindy Blackman. Obviously a lot more than that audience bargained for In Tinsley, Park, Illinois, on the July 9, 2010 show of the Universal Tone Tour.
Blackman, although primarily a vetted jazz percussionist, is possibly best known for her 11-year stint with Lenny Kravitz. As such, she showed she was a master of groove as well as swing. This may be the general public’s introduction to the groundbreaking drummer, but in the jazz scene, especially, she has long been a fixture.
And with numerous albums under her belt, she can claim status as a composer as well.
Her gig with Santana‘s band adds Latin rock music to her resume, and seems to be just another step in Blackman’s self-proclaimed goal of virtuosity. Congratulations to the happy couple!