Jazz at the Bandshell: Cindy Blackman Santana + The Patricia Brennan Septet + Lucía

Cindy Blackman Santana is a virtuoso drummer whose artistry spans the realms of jazz and rock. As a bandleader and musician, Cindy is a sound innovator with a passion for pushing creative boundaries and exploring movement and change. She is as known for the nuances and colors she brings to her beats and fills as she is for the sheer power of her soulful playing. From the beginning of her career as a busking street performer in New York City in the ’80s through the present day, Cindy has been touring the globe and making albums with artists including Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wilson, Bill Laswell, Joss Stone, Joe Henderson, Buckethead, Don Pullen, Hugh Masakela, and Angela Bofill. She writes, records and performs with her own bands, Cindy Blackman Santana Group and Another Lifetime, which released its critically acclaimed self-titled debut in 2010. In 2011 she joined forces with Vernon Reid, Jack Bruce and John Medeski to form the critically acclaimed Spectrum Road, which released an album and tour dedicated to the music of Tony Williams. From 1992 to 2007 and again in 2014 and 2015 she was the drummer in Lenny Kravitz’s band, performing through multiple world tours and hit albums. In 2016, Cindy joined Santana full-time and has been mesmerizing audiences around the globe ever since. Her drumming can be heard on multiple Santana albums, including Power of Peace with the Isley Brothers (2017), the EP In Search of Mona Lisa (2019), Africa Speaks (2019), and Blessings and Miracles (2021). Her solo album Give the Drummer Some (2020) and subsequent touring with the Cindy Blackman Santana Band highlights songs that span the realm of jazz, rock, and funk and showcase Cindy’s incredible versatility both behind the kit and in front of the microphone. This fall, she joins music superstars Chris Stapleton and Snoop Dogg for a reimagining of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” as the musical anthem and show open for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. With it, she continues to build a body of work and artistic legacy that make her one of the finest drummers and recording artists of this or any generation.

The Patricia Brennan Septet is an electrifying ensemble that brings together some of today’s most dynamic improvisers to explore bold new sonic territory. Expanded from her critically acclaimed More Touch quartet, the septet showcases her adventurous compositions for an extended horn section, layered rhythms, and immersive electronics. Led by vibraphonist, marimbist, and composer Patricia Brennan, the group features: Adam O’Farrill – trumpet & electronics, Jon Irabagon – alto & sopranino saxophones, Mark Shim – tenor saxophone, Kim Cass – bass, Marcus Gilmore – drums, Mauricio Herrera – percussion, and Patricia Brennan – vibraphone, marimba, and electronics. This powerhouse lineup merges Afro-Caribbean grooves, contemporary classical textures, and avant-garde improvisation, filtered through Brennan’s distinct rhythmic and harmonic lens. Her compositions push the boundaries of form and pulse, blending her Mexican heritage, classical training, and experimental instincts into a sound that is richly layered and rhythmically alive. Featured on her 2024 album Breaking Stretch (Pyroclastic Records), the septet builds a world where vibrant horn lines, shifting meters, and electronic atmospheres collide — creating music that is as cerebral as it is emotionally direct. With performances that move between deep groove, open improvisation, and intricate composition, the Patricia Brennan Septet is a bold step forward in the evolution of genre-defying ensemble music. Breaking Stretch received wide acclaim earning spots on multiple Best Jazz Albums of 2024 including The New York Times 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2024 and NPR 50 Best Albums of 2024 (across all genres of music).