Renowned drummer Cindy Blackman Santana is set to grace The Carlyle Room in Northwest D.C. this Friday and Saturday with her electrifying performances.

With an impressive repertoire of original compositions and revamped classics by artists like Wayne Shorter, Blackman Santana promises to deliver an unforgettable experience. Speaking to WTOP, she expressed her excitement about the upcoming shows, highlighting the band’s ability to infuse new energy into familiar tunes. “This band is so great, everybody’s got such big ears that the music is really able to take a lot of journeys, twists and turns, so it keeps the excitement, it keeps the energy and everyone has a really great sound on their instrument,” she remarked.

Born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, in 1959, Blackman Santana’s musical journey began with an eclectic mix of influences ranging from funk and jazz to classical and rock ‘n roll. After studying at prestigious institutions like the Hartt School of Music and Berklee College of Music, she embarked on her professional career, eventually joining The Drifters as their drummer.

Reflecting on her early experiences, Blackman Santana acknowledged the value of stability and diverse musical exposure that gigs with The Drifters provided. “Even though it wasn’t the music that I wanted to play, it was an experience, so that was great,” she recalled.

In 1993, her career took a significant turn when she received a call from Lenny Kravitz, inviting her to audition for his music video “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” This marked the beginning of a remarkable collaboration, with Blackman Santana serving as Kravitz’s touring drummer for nearly two decades. Her tenure with Kravitz included memorable performances captured in the concert documentary “Alive from Planet Earth.”

Recalling her introduction to Kravitz, Blackman Santana shared the serendipitous nature of their meeting and the immediate musical chemistry they shared. “Seventeen years playing on the road was quite an amazing run,” she reminisced fondly.

It was during her time with Kravitz at a music festival in Germany in 2005 that she crossed paths with her future husband, Carlos Santana. Although their initial encounter was brief, their musical connection would eventually blossom into something more profound. “Carlos and I just connected musically, then as we started talking, we really connected spiritually,” she revealed.

As Blackman Santana gears up to mesmerize audiences at The Carlyle Room, fans can expect nothing short of a transcendent musical experience filled with passion, energy, and soulful rhythms. With her unparalleled talent and infectious enthusiasm, she continues to cement her legacy as one of the most dynamic and influential drummers of her generation.