Welcome to another Boomerocity Archive Series interview...where we preserve the stories behind the music that shaped our generation.

Few musicians possess the combination of power, imagination, spirituality, and sheer musical fearlessness that Cindy Blackman Santana brings to everything she does.

And for Boomerocity, this conversation is particularly special. This marks my fifth interview with Cindy over the years, giving us the opportunity not simply to revisit an extraordinary career, but to continue a musical conversation that has evolved right along with her.

This time, the centerpiece is Coherence, Cindy's ambitious new album released July 31, 2026, through Mack Avenue Records.

The title says a great deal about the philosophy behind the music.

For Cindy, coherence isn't simply a musical concept. It's about connection—people listening to one another, different voices finding common ground, and seemingly different elements discovering that they can create something greater together.
Musically, Coherence lives up to that idea.

The album moves freely through jazz, rock, fusion, funk, spiritual music, and open-ended improvisation while bringing together an extraordinary collection of musicians. Cindy's touring band—including Emilio Modeste, Aurélien Budynek, Zaccai Curtis, and Felix Pastorius—provides much of the album's foundation, while an impressive list of guests expands its musical universe.

Carlos Santana appears on several tracks. Snoop Dogg provides the memorable spoken introduction to “The Message Is Love.” Matt Garrison, Ray Angry, and Dave Eggar are among the other contributors.

And then there is “Guitar Love.”

The track brings together Carlos Santana and the legendary John McLaughlin, with Cindy driving the musical conversation from behind the drum kit. The pairing is especially fascinating because Cindy considers McLaughlin one of her musical heroes, and the contrast between his playing and Carlos' creates one of the album's most intriguing moments.

That connection gave me an especially interesting place to begin part of our conversation. I interviewed John McLaughlin last year, and Cindy came up during that discussion. Now, with John appearing on Coherence, I had the opportunity to bring that musical circle back around to Cindy.

We also talk about the larger message behind songs including “Illumination,” “The Message Is Love,” and “Peace Please”; the freedom Cindy seeks in improvisation; the importance of truly listening to the musicians around you; and the relationship between creativity and spirituality that has run through so much of her work.

Of course, it's impossible to talk with Cindy without discussing Carlos—not simply as her husband, but as another musician with whom she shares an extraordinary creative language. Their interaction on Coherence illustrates one of the album's central ideas: great music doesn't happen when everyone sounds the same. It happens when distinctive voices listen, respond, challenge one another, and create something together.

Cindy has traveled an extraordinary musical road—from jazz and her early recordings as a bandleader to her years with Lenny Kravitz, her solo work, and her role behind the drums with Santana. Yet what continues to make her fascinating is that she doesn't sound like someone interested in looking backward.

She's still searching.

Still experimenting.

Still listening.

And still pushing herself toward whatever musical territory comes next.

After five conversations with Cindy—and having also had the privilege of seeing her perform live with Santana twice—I'm continually struck by the same thing: the intensity we see behind the drum kit is only one part of the story. Behind it is a musician who thinks deeply about why music matters and what it can communicate.

Coherence may be one of the clearest expressions of that philosophy yet.

Watch my complete Boomerocity conversation with Cindy Blackman Santana as we explore Coherence, Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin, the art of improvisation, the power of musical communication, and why—especially now—Cindy believes music can help bring people together.

This interview is part of Boomerocity's ongoing commitment to preserving the voices, stories, and cultural contributions that have shaped the Baby Boomer generation—and to passing those stories on to future generations.

Cindy Blackman Santana - The 5th Boomerocity Interview

Title Song From "Coherence"

Title Cut From "Coherence"

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