Salvador Santana Band Plays at Bay Area Before Their European Tour

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Salvador Santana Band will play two local dates just prior to embarking on a month long tour of Europe. On Friday, April 21, SSB headlines Blake's on Telegraph in Berkeley. SSB jumps to San Francisco on Sunday, April 23 for a set at famed Cafe du Nord in the Upper Market district. Son of latin and rock legend Carlos Santana begin his European tour April 30 with a concert at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, when the SSB will max out their high-energy fusion of hip-hop, jazz, Latin, rock and blues for thousands of fans. They'll continue on tour as show opener for Carlos Santana and the Santana Band for a total of 22 dates.

Countries on the schedule also include: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the U.K. -- including May 12-13 at London's Wembley Arena -- France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

The 2006 tour marks the second time that SSB has been the support act for Santana's European dates -- they first did so in 2004. The experience of touring live is what Salvador loves most. "Being onstage is an incredible adrenaline rush, " he says. "It's almost euphoric. I feel that my awareness is broadened, and it's where I can be my best."

SSB formed in 2004, and their spirited flow and deep grooves are alive with bandleader, keyboardist, vocalist and composer Salvador Santana's diverse musical influences. "There's a definite 21st century aspect to Salvador's music, " Jon Matsumoto wrote in the San Jose Mercury News, acknowledging that echoes of Monk, Marley, Coltrane, Hendrix and more can also be heard in their contemporary sound. In addition to headlining their own shows and supporting Santana, SSB has also toured with Ozomatli and Los Lonely Boys, among others. The line-up also includes Emerson Cardenas (bass), Carla Holbrook (vocals), Matt Heulitt (guitar), Tony Austin (drums) and former Ozomatli player Jose "Crunchy" Espinosa (sax, flute, vocals).

Their five-song demo/debut EP, featuring three original cuts plus SSB reinventions of two Billy Cobham tracks, is available through www.salvadorsantana.com. In its review of the disc, CDBaby.com wrote, "This is the kind of hybrid that is so easy to drink up and soak in -- it goes down so smoothly. With a special talent for layering in the thick, luscious harmonies, this group's self-titled release is one to give a spin."

Salvador's soulful sound can also be heard on a track he wrote and performed with Carlos Santana for the compilation CD "Food For Thought, " a benefit for the Milagro Foundation. Based in San Rafael and founded in 1998, Milagro has given more than $2 million to charities and agencies supporting children and youth in areas of health, education and the arts. Other projects include Salvador's collaboration with Carlos on stirring music for the audiobook version of his mother Deborah Santana's acclaimed memoir, "Space Between The Stars: My Journey To An Open Heart." Salvador also co-wrote the GRAMMY -winning track "El Farol" from the phenomenally popular 1999 Santana album "Supernatural."

At the same time that Salvador Santana's creative spirit carries on the remarkable musical legacy of his grandfathers -- African-American tenor and guitar legend Saunders King and virtuoso mariachi violinist Jose Santana -- and his father, Carlos Santana, it is an innovative and evolving journey all his own. Currently, Salvador is developing material for a new album slated for release by early 2007, and he has been co-writing songs with Santana's Andy Vargas, Asdru Sierra of Ozomatli and members of B-Side Players, among others.

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