World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Carlos Santana

カルロス・サンタナ

Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán

Aliases: Santana
Pen Names: Devadip（Spiritual name given by guru Sri Chinmoy in the 1970s）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-07-20 （Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico）
Nationality
Mexico, United States
Languages
Spanish, English
Religion
Christianity (with strong spiritual/meditation influences)
Residence History
Tijuana, Mexico → San Francisco, California, U.S. → Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

Career

Occupations
Musician, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer, Band leader
Active Years
1965-
Influenced By
B.B. King, Miles Davis, Javier Bátiz, Gábor Szabó, Jimi Hendrix
Influenced
Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph, Neal Schon (influenced younger guitarists)

Awards

Grammy Awards (multiple)
2000
Work: Album 'Supernatural' and single 'Smooth'
Category: Album of the Year / Record of the Year
Organization: The Recording Academy
Result: Won
Latin Grammy Awards (Person of the Year)
2004
Category: Person of the Year
Organization: Latin Recording Academy
Result: Won
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
1998
Work: Inducted with band Santana
Organization: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Result: Inducted
Kennedy Center Honors
2013
Organization: Kennedy Center
Result: Inducted
Hollywood Walk of Fame
1997
Organization: Hollywood Walk of Fame
Result: Inducted
Billboard Century Award
1995
Organization: Billboard
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Santana (debut album)

1969 Latin rock / Blues rock

Santana's debut album, released after their Woodstock performance, which propelled the band to fame.

Fusion of Latin rhythms and rockBlues influence

Abraxas

1970 Rock / Latin jazz

A sophomore album blending rock, jazz and salsa influences; includes hits like 'Oye Como Va' and 'Black Magic Woman.'

Multicultural fusionImprovisation

Caravanserai

1972 Jazz fusion

A more jazz-oriented, experimental album; critically acclaimed though commercially divisive.

SpiritualityJazz improvisation

Supernatural

1999 Latin rock / Pop

A star-studded collaborative album; spawned the hit single 'Smooth' and marked a major commercial comeback.

CollaborationCrossover appeal

Bibliography

  • Santana (1969)
  • Abraxas (1970)
  • Santana III (1971)
  • Caravanserai (1972)
  • Supernatural (1999)
  • Shape Shifter (2012)
  • Corazón (2014)

Adaptations

  • Film 'La Bamba' (contributed to the score)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Melodic, blues-rooted guitar linesFusion of Latin and African rhythmsSpiritual and lyrical expression
Recurring Motifs
Percussion-driven rhythms (congas, timbales)Extended improvisationSpiritual/reflective lyrical themes

Health

  • Heart surgery (December 2021)
    2021-12
    Temporary impact on touring and scheduled performances; resumed activity after recovery
  • Heat exhaustion and temporary collapse (onstage July 2022)
    2022-07
    Several concerts postponed/cancelled; observed and treated, followed by recovery

Legacy

Carlos Santana is a pioneering figure who fused rock with Latin music, achieving global influence. He has earned numerous Grammys and hall of fame inductions and is known as a mentor to younger generations of musicians.

Museums

  • Yamaha SG2000 (Devadip) exhibited at the Berlin Musical Instrument Museum Berlin, Germany

Archives

  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame archives
  • Santana official archives / website

In Popular Culture

  • Featured as a playable character in the video game 'Guitar Hero 5'
  • Published a guitar lesson in the online MasterClass series

Quotes

  • "The '60s were a leap in human consciousness. ... The music was like Dalí, with many colors and revolutionary ways."
    Source: Interview / magazine article (2000)

Trivia

  • Naturalized U.S. citizen in 1965.
  • Has several PRS Santana signature guitar models.
  • Co-founded the Milagro Foundation to support education and medical needs.
  • Launched a cannabis brand 'Mirayo' in 2020.
  • Married Deborah King (1973–2007) and later Cindy Blackman (m. 2010).