Drummer

Cindy Blackman Santana Group headlines an all-women jazz lineup alongside Mexican vibraphonist and composer Patricia Brennan, and Lucía, the 24-year-old Veracruz-born vocalist who won the 2022 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Blackman Santana is one of the most accomplished drummers of her generation, with a 40-year career as bandleader, recording artist, and live performer. The icon’s repertoire spans the realm of jazz, rock, and funk, showcasing her versatility behind the kit and in front of the mic.

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Jazz at the Bandshell: Cindy Blackman Santana Group + Patricia Brennan Septet + Lucía

Lena Horne Theatre

Cindy Blackman Santana is a virtuoso drummer whose electrifying artistry bridges jazz, rock, and beyond. Renowned for her soulful power, creative innovation, and masterful command of rhythm, Cindy is as celebrated for her dynamic fills and nuanced colors as she is for her sheer musical force.

Cindy Blackman Santana Group

South Orange Performing Arts Center

A singular artist possessed of unmatched passion, fire, and percussive mastery, Cindy Blackman Santana graces the Miner Auditorium stage for this long-awaited return appearance with her newest project. For these concerts, Blackman Santana's band will be joined by special guest saxophonist Ravi Coltrane.

Cindy Blackman Santana

SFJAZZ Center

If there is one artist on today’s music scene with the passion, fire, and percussive mastery to do justice to the legacy of the late Tony Williams, it is undoubtedly Cindy Blackman Santana. She returns with organ great John Medeski and Living Colour guitar genius Vernon Reid to honor Williams and his groundbreaking late 60s/early 70s electric jazz group Lifetime, with a very special guest legendary guitarist (hint! hint!).

Made famous by her 10+ years providing the bone-deep grooves behind singer and guitarist Lenny Kravitz, Blackman has distinguished herself as a highly versatile player and composer who is as comfortable leading post-bop sessions with Joe Henderson and Wallace Roney as she is touring with pop stars like Kravitz and husband Carlos Santana, whose band she currently anchors.

Drummer

Cindy Blackman Santana

Events

Past events

Jul 24, 2026

Jazz at the Bandshell: Cindy Blackman Santana Group + Patricia Brennan Septet + Lucía · BRIC Arts & Media

Oct 18, 2025

Cindy Blackman Santana Group · The South Orange Performing Arts Center

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