Santana is in the House!

THE HOUSE OF BLUES AT MANDALAY BAY

By Ann Parenti

Late one night several years ago, while traveling with my husband Curtis, I stumbled on a late-night TV interview with Santana where the show’s host did a great interview with him. I don’t remember what city we were in, the hotel, or even who did the interview, but I still remember some of Carlos’s comments and how they connected with me at a core level. In the interview, he was describing spirituality almost exactly like I speak of it. It was so wild that I woke Curtis up to hear what he was saying. It blew me away! Although Curtis was not pleased about being woken, he appreciated the synchronicity of the entire conversation between the interviewer and Carlos. I always felt if I ever got a chance to meet him, we would have a moment of surreal remembrance of who we both were in another time and space.

At that point, I had promised myself one day I would get to see him in Las Vegas when he came to town. Then shortly after that, the world paused for Covid, and it began to look like I would miss my chance to see him perform in person. That wish took place recently when I got my chance to see this masterful guitarist and philosophical spirit with Curtis at The House of Blues.

When the show began with some very familiar hits from his early days, I thought, where does he go from here? Then like the true talent that he is, Carlos tears into the next big hit, then the next, and the next until we were exhausted but strangely exhilarated at the same time from applauding and cheering him on.

The evening cannot be described further without mentioning the abnormally talented group of musicians he surrounds himself with. First and foremost, his fabulous drummer and beautiful wife, Cindy Blackman Santana, kept a pace going all night that was astounding! Then there was the fabulous keyboardist, David K. Matthews, whom I personally had the chance to meet over the years when the band members popped in to see Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns after their own show. Then there were the vocalists–the talented Andy Vargas and Ray Greene. Ripping it up on percussion were Paoli Mejias and Karl Perazzo. Finally, the fabulous Tommy Anthony was on guitar and vocals, and Benny Rietveld played one mean bass.

Carlos did not speak until near the end of the evening because he was too busy letting the guitar speak for him. But when he did, I remembered that kindred soul I saw on TV in a hotel room late one night, and all was right in the world again, even if only for a moment in time.

Please check out Santana this summer while they are back to touring because you will not be disappointed. Visit www.santana.com for tour dates and locations.