Cindy Blackman Santana Shares New Single “Illumination”
June 5, 2026
Las Vegas, NV, June 5, 2026: Acclaimed drummer, composer, bandleader, and vocalist Cindy Blackman Santana will release her new solo album Coherence on July 31 via Mack Avenue Records, led by the first single “Illumination,” out June 5. Blending spiritual jazz, fusion, rock, and improvisation, Coherence brings together an extraordinary cast of musicians—including Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin, Matt Garrison, Ray Angry, Dave Eggar, and Blackman Santana’s touring band—for a fearless and deeply collaborative record driven by rhythmic interplay, expansive improvisation, and dynamic live energy.
The album’s lead single, “Illumination,” draws a spotlight to the interplay between Blackman Santana and her band. Her drumming rolls and roars at all the right moments as saxophone, guitar, and bass push deeper into a fluid and dynamic musical exchange.
“It was actually our first time ever playing ‘Illumination,’” she says. “To me, it brings a lot of freshness and energy. I hope you feel the cohesiveness of how we interact together. The title is about bringing brightness to the forefront of people’s minds and hearts. The coming together of the musicians represents the coming together of all people.”
Coherence arrives nearly four decades after Blackman Santana introduced herself as a bandleader with her 1987 debut, Arcane. In the years since, she has released numerous acclaimed recordings, and built one of the most distinctive careers in contemporary music, earning acclaim across jazz, fusion, and rock while continually expanding her voice as a composer, drummer, vocalist, and performer.
She recorded Coherence at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas during late 2024 alongside her trusted touring band—Emilio Modeste [saxophone], Aurelien Budynek [guitar], Zaccai Curtis [keyboards], and Felix Pastorius [bass]. At the same time, she assembled an elite cohort of collaborators to round out her vision, including Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin, bassist Matt Garrison, keyboardist, Ray Angry, cellist Dave Eggar, and more.
In support of the album, Blackman Santana will perform at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at the Lena Horne Bandshell in Prospect Park on July 24 as part of the festival’s 2026 season (bricartsmedia.org). She will also spend the summer on the road as drummer for Santana on the Santana and The Doobie Brothers Oneness Tour, while continuing Santana’s multi-year residency at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, with additional September residency dates.
Cindy Blackman Santana // Photo by Jim Louvau
About Cindy Blackman Santana:
Cindy Blackman Santana is a virtuoso drummer, composer, and bandleader whose fearless artistry bridges jazz, rock, funk, and beyond. Renowned for the power, nuance, and emotional depth of her playing, she has performed and recorded with artists including Santana, Lenny Kravitz, Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wilson, Joe Henderson, Vernon Reid, John McLaughlin, and the Isley Brothers. Since joining Santana full-time in 2016, her drumming has been featured on multiple albums including Africa Speaks and Blessings and Miracles. Her acclaimed solo work—including Give the Drummer Some and her latest album Coherence—showcases her expansive vision as both a drummer and vocalist, blending spiritual jazz, rock, and improvisational music into a sound entirely her own.
