Cindy Blackman of Santana: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

Cindy Photos 2024- ©Per Gustafson

Cindy Blackman has been around since the ’80s. She’s released numerous albums as a solo artist, has worked with Lenny Kravitz, and, since 2015, has been an official member of Santana. And while she’s as rocking and hard-hitting as it gets behind the kit, it’s jazz that Blackman goes back to most often.

When she’s not gigging with Santana, Blackman embarks on solo tours, celebrating her amalgamation of jazz and rock. To that end, Blackman has shows coming up: “My band members are Aurelien Biudynek on guitar, Emilio Modest on saxophone, and Zaccai Curtis on the keys,” she tells ClassicRockHistory.com “We will be returning to Jimmy Jazz & Blues Club in New Hampshire 7/4/24, to Keystone Korner 7/5 through 7/7, and to Birdland 7/9 through 7/13.

She adds: “For the Birdland gigs, we will add JD Allen to our core lineup, so we will have two saxophone players! We will play some of our normal repertoire and some new music. The band is really exciting because we go on a lot of musical journeys and love pushing the envelope.”

Blackman’s passion for interpreting jazz in the live setting is evident, but there’s things that she loves most. “I most love the in the moment act of creating,” she beams. “And the energy exchange between us and the audience. It’s exhilarating.”

Gigs with Santana are looming. But in the meantime—and between—Blackman has plenty of solo gigs on tap, too. As for what keeps her passion fueled: “My love for Jazz is kept alive by my love for life,” Blackman says. “Jazz and creative music is expressive, intelligent, heartfelt, and progressive. I love the textures, colors, variations, moods, and the energy of it.”

Who are your favorite jazz drummers, and how have they impacted you?

Some of my favorite jazz drummers are Art Blakey, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams! They all have drive, passion, feel, beauty, and intelligence, and they are all innovators! So, they all, especially Tony, have set the stage for my path, my sound, my technique, and my approach to the drums and to music.

Can you remember the first jazz record you listened to? How did it impact you?

Well, the first album that made me take a more in-depth look at the drums was Max Roach’s Drums Unlimited. I fell in love with his sound, his intelligence, his four-way independence, and his putting the drums front and center and making the drum solo such a musical fiber of the songs.

And how do you balance that with your love for rock? Do you have a favorite rock record?

The balance for me is that I love great music- period. Tony Williams is my favorite rock and everything drummer. So, I love all of his records, like Emergency—yeeees! Other records I love by “rock” musicians are Are You Experienced Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin’s Led Zeppelin IV, and AC/DC’s Back in Black.

If you had to describe your music to a new fan, how would you do it?

It’s an amalgamation of everything that I like, influenced by jazz, rock, classical, pop, and more. So, I guess I would describe it as “jazz-rock” with some twists. It contains lots of fire, excitement, beauty, moods, and textures with layers of sound and color.

How has your work with Santana impacted what you do as a solo artist?

Santana is very much in the radio world as it is in the creative and rhythmic worlds, so it inspires me to add more of those elements to what we are already doing.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from Carlos?

From Carlos, my biggest lesson has probably been: “Forget the rules, it’s the feel that counts.”

Of your music, what song or songs best represent who you are as a musician in 2024?

It’s hard to choose one song because there are so many dimensions in music…. songs: “Curiosity,” “Music,” “Walking Ballad,” “All I Want,” “We Came to Play,” “Velocity,” and “Social Justice.”

What gear are you using these days and why? Do you prefer new or vintage instruments?

Overall, I do prefer vintage instruments. However, I am totally happy with my OM and Mantra cymbals made by Istanbulagop. They are handmade like the old Ks and sound incredible! I play Gretsch drums, and they sound beautiful. They have tone, warmth, projection, and feel. And these drums are still made with love for drummers to enjoy and make great music—not just boxes to bang on.

My gear list includes Gretsch Drums, Istanbulagop Cymbals—my artist lines of OM and Mantra—Vater Drumsticks—my artist model “Magic Wand” sticks, Remo drumheads, DW hardware, LP cow bells, a Banda snare drum, and Earthworks Audio Microphones.

What are you most proud of in your career to date? How will you keep pushing forward?

I am very proud of knowing many of my heroes, like Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Williams, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter. And playing in bands with Jackie McLean, Don Pullen, Joe Henderson, Jack Bruce, Lenny Kravitz, Vernon Reid, and Carlos Santana. I will always push myself forward by loving music, the drums, and the quest to become virtuosic.

What’s next for you in all lanes?

Next is the rest of our amazing Santana summer tour. I have gigs with my band coming up in between these next two runs that I am very excited about. Finishing my record is very exciting; there will be strings on some of it, and I’m very excited about that! I am also in the midst of recording with a new project called R.O.C, which is Rhonda Smith, Orianthi, and me. It’s a band of great musicians who really kick ass! So, this is exciting, too!

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