Carlos Santana

A Reason To Smile

When it comes to rock stars, it’s usually the lead singer who steals the show. But when you are one of the best guitarists in rock ‘n’ roll history, it’s easy to see and hear why the smooth sounds of Carlos Santana made him an international superstar.

His effortless blend of Latin, blues, and jazz was honored on Saturday at the Grammy Awards where Santana received a long-overdue Lifetime Achievement Award. He is our reason to smile.

Santana’s creative stamina is remarkable. His first hit, “Evil Ways,” was released in 1969. He hasn’t stopped making music since. Fifty-six years later, he is still writing and performing, with a residency at the House of Blues in Las Vegas and a tour with the Doobie Brothers starting in March.

Santana has had dozens of hits and is known for his collaborations. His song “Smooth,” featuring Rob Thomas, stayed at No. 1 for 12 weeks in 1999. His duet “Joy,” with country star Chris Stapleton, was a more recent hit.

“Oye Como Va,” written by legendary bandleader Tito Puente in 1962, is one of my family’s favorites. The first line of the song is “oye como va mi ritmo,” which translates to “listen to how my rhythm goes.” You can hear and feel the rhythm from the first notes of the feel-good song.

Puente and Santana performed it together at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1980. Sadly, we couldn’t find a recording of that performance. Instead, we give you Santana live at Montreux in 2011.

Santana was born in a small Mexican town in 1947. He immigrated to the United States when he was a teenager, bringing his music, his culture, and his joy with him.

When I interviewed Santana several years ago, he struck me as a deeply spiritual man. He spoke of the interconnection between gratitude and happiness, and described what performing is to him.

“Well, this is joy. Joy is not labor or anything like that or a job. It’s more like an offering. You know? And the more you get into it from your heart the less you feel gravity and time and mischief or grief or anything like that. You know? Those things disappear.”

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Stay Steady,

Dan