Keyboard City out February 2, 2010 via Quannum/Various Music

Carlos Santana's son readies solo debut album

Music is a burst of choices. Not only what note to play when and with what instrument, but whether to play a note at all.

Salvador Santana, the 26-year-old keyboardist, vocalist, composer, and songwriter with strong Bay Area roots, knows what it means to navigate the infinite options of music. His 2008 project with the Salvador Santana Band - simply called SSB - pursued the scope of his ability. But for Santana, it wasn't enough. He has no choice but to push himself further.

Watch video - Salvador Santana in the studio with GZA:

Collaboration has always been the centerpiece of his creations, and this passion manifested his solo debut 'Keyboard City' around the inspirations of a few legends: Bay Area MC/producer Del the Funky Homosapien who helped hone in Santana's writing skills, Beastie Boy studio wizard Money Mark, and GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.

The legendary founder of the Wu-Tang Clan rallied support around the album by featuring himself on remix of the title track "Keyboard City" earlier this fall.

The long anticipated debut hits the streets in February of 2010 followed by extensive touring with his keyboard-laden band featuring a three-person keyboard assault with Santana at the head.

Money Mark inspired Santana in a beautiful way during the creation process. "With all the people I've ever collaborated with or just working by myself, I have never produced so many ideas into songs as I have during these Money Mark sessions. That guy is just a machine," said Santana.

Money Mark opened up a new way of recording that was previously unknown to Santana. "He has mentored me by showing me that it's cool to be all over the pace. It's cool to sit there and work on a song, then out of nowhere, interrupt that flow and work on another idea. To just go with it.", Santana elaborates.

Santana is pushed by a need to step out of his comfort zone in a quest for new ideas. Easy going and humble, Santana exudes the Bay Area vibe. He began playing the drums at age three - sitting on his father's lap, controlling the snare and tom, as his father worked the hi-hat and kick drum - but his true love was discovered when he began taking piano lessons when he was six. Later, he studied at San Francisco's heralded School of the Arts before attending Cal Arts in Valencia, CA.

His education, passion and lineage has turned Santana into a monster on the keys, leading him to say that he's "a musician first, a vocalist second and a performer second-and-a-half."

Music truly thrives in his veins. His maternal grandfather was blues pioneer Saunders King and his paternal grandfather was the internationally celebrated violinist and mariachi bandleader Jose Santana. And, of course, his father is 10X Grammy-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Carlos Santana ... who's also a frequent collaborator (Salvador co-wrote "El Farol" from 1999's smash album Supernatural).

But with his upcoming solo project, Salvador Santana will truly become a brand of his own.

"With the Salvador Santana Band record I was very passive and insecure, only because I wasn't listening to my gut, allowing my second opinions to get to me. Knowing what I know now, I could have played that part better. I don't ever want to have that feeling ever again."

In addition to his musical desires, Santana has worldly efforts on his mind. After a trip to South Africa and inspiring work with Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), something triggered inside of Santana to make sure his music wasn't only about personal glory.

Once the record is released and he begins touring the project, Salvador will be posting various non-profit organizations on his website that will receive a percentage of the profits. "I want to use music in a positive way, and give back to people in need. There can never be enough people who do that." And there can never be enough musicians pushing their art to the brink.

Buy Music:

Salvador Santana on amazon.com

"On "Keyboard City," Sal and Mark layer reedy, synth atmospherics, icy-cool electronic keys and a smooth-as-butter beat underneath Sal's awesomely zonked-out Vocoder-heavy vocals" - RollingStone.com

Salvador Santana on Twitter
MySpace
Salvador Santana Official Website

GZA to perform w/ special guest - RSVP below!

Following the outpouring of submissions, 8 lucky winners have been handpicked to compete at the inaugural Dickies Battle of the Bands contest in Austin, TX on Friday, March 20, 2009.

Our final 8 bands are:

· Golden Triangle
· The Story Of
· Snake Trap
· Ferocious Few
· 6 Day Bender
· Roll the Tanks
· Facts of File
· Holy Hail

Head over to www.dickiesupstart.com for bios and videos of the 8 bands.

The Battle will go down between 1pm - 6pm and will include a special performance from GZA (w/ special guest!) plus music by DJ Josh Madden throughout the afternoon.

For VIP Entry which includes free beer, free BBQ, and Dickies giveaways please RSVP to Battle@dickiesupstart.com.

The event is free and open to the public. Must be 21 and over to get in.

Dickies Upstart Official Website

Legendary rapper GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, also know as the "Genius," will team up with his hometown blogger Brooklyn Vegan to lend their expertise and knowledge of music in deciding the winner of the inaugural Dickies Battle of the Bands in Austin, TX on Friday, March 20, 2009.

DJ Josh Madden, founder of the DCMA Collective, will DJ the event.

They will be partnered up with one final celebrity judge in the music industry to be announced shortly.

Submissions are still open for the Dickies Battle, but time is ticking! 8 independent/unsigned bands will be selected to compete for the $10,000 grand prize in this monumental war for the title. All entries are accepted via the Dickies Battle of the Bands website (http://dickiesupstart.com/) or by mail.

Deadline for submissions has been EXTENDED to Wednesday, February 25, 2009 11:59pm EST. Bands chosen to compete will be announced March 2, 2009 on http://dickiesupstart.com.

About Dickies

Founded in 1922, Dickies has worked its way up to become the largest work wear manufacturer in the world. Every Dickies garment, from work pants and work shirts to denim jeans, women's work wear and kids' school wear, stands for the quality, toughness, and pride that embodies the spirit of the American worker-traits mirrored in the rugged lifestyle that any independent / unsigned artist endures while grinding away to share their music with the masses.

The Dickies name has been built on strength and durability, qualities most bands will need as today's music business becomes more of a struggle than ever. Don't miss your chance to come out on top-enter the Battle of the Bands now!

While Dickies Battle of the Bands is taking place in Austin during SXSW, it is not an official SXSW event. This also means it's free and open to the public.

For more information, go to:

Dickies Battle of the Bands Official Website