The highly proficient, highly prolific drummer Cindy Blackman Santana is preparing to release her 14th solo album in July. Coherence (Mack Avenue Records) — the follow-up to Give The Drummer Some (2000) — is said to once again showcase her ample abilities as drummer, composer, bandleader and singer. And yes, her husband Carlos Santana collaborated on it.
Blackman Santana is also widely talented in the styles of music that she’s mastered, particularly jazz, rock and a hybrid of both (aka, “jazz fusion”). A single put out in advance of Coherence makes a great showcase for her skills applied in those areas.
“Illumination” (video above) was performed by her working band of Aurelien Budynek (guitar), Felix Pastorius (bass), Emilio Modeste (saxophone) and Zaccai Curtis (keyboards) and the first thing noticeable about it is how fresh it sounds, a freshness that comes from the fact that this is the first time the band played this song. Secondly, it’s hard not to notice Blackman Santana’s forceful drumming, reminiscent of Tony Williams’ four-limbed approach. But she doesn’t just plow through the performance, the nuanced sense of swing present since the start of her career is present here.
Modeste on soprano sax and Budynek on guitar handles the lead lines with the former making this sound a lot like a straight jazz song when he improvises. When it’s Curtis’ turn, it sounds more like a fusion song. But Blackman Santana’s drumming fits both styles and in the end, it doesn’t matter what you call it; it’s just Cindy Blackman Santana.
Coherence is set for release July 31, 2026. Pre-orer/order it from here.
- Cindy Blackman Santana, “Illumination”, from ‘Coherence’ (2026): Sneak peek - June 10, 2026
- Tyshawn Sorey – ‘Members… Don’t!’ (2026) - June 8, 2026
- Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, “Chicken Leg” b/w “If I Could”: One Track Mind - June 5, 2026
