East Coast Tour – July / August 2002
Road News – August Tour
The July/August tour started out with a long flight to Virginia Beach, VA. We arrived to temperatures in the 90’s and a humidity level that was the same. As the band dusted off some tunes at sound check we knew that there would be no letting up after a few weeks off. The show highlights were “Savor” with CT ripping into his B3 solo. Just before “Yaleo” a Santana crewmember surprised rhythm guitar player, Myron Dove, with a birthday cake. The band and audience sang happy Birthday and “Your Still a Young Man” to Myron who was all smiles. Carlos gave Myron a beautiful new PRS Bass for his birthday.
On Thursday, August 1 we traveled to Columbia, MD for a day off. Carlos took the day and went to check out the PRS Guitar factory in Stevensville, MD. Carlos and Paul toured the factory and Carlos had the opportunity to help create his next guitar. Paul brought us to the vault where the choice woods are kept for the body of the guitar. Carlos carefully selected the body, neck, fret board, inlay and colors for his next baby. The passion that Paul and his staff put into each guitar makes it clear why they look and sound so beautiful. Carlos, Paul and friends went out for Crab cakes and seafood after the tour. The next day at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Paul joined the band on stage to jam on “The Calling” and “Sonny Sharrock”. On top of being an amazing guitar craftsman, Paul is a very tasty guitar player. Carlos and Paul traded some great licks raising the energy of the show even higher.
After a great show in Hartford, CT we traveled to Philadelphia, PA. After we checked into the hotel we went to see our friends at Tequila?s in the city. Tequila is is one of the finest exotic Mexican restaurants in the world according Carlos and the band. The passion and service that is delivered with each dish is second to none. After an amazing meal we went to Camden, NJ to play at the Tweeter Center. The band was tearing it up in the 90-degree weather as they tore into classics “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como VA”.
New York
On Monday, August 5 we arrived in New York City where we stayed for the next week. Carlos checked into the hotel and went right over to the guitar shops on Broadway to buy some new goodies for himself.
On August 7th at the PNC Centre in New Jersey, David Sanchez sat in all through the evening. David, a great Jazz Saxophone player from Puerto Rico, added a great touch to the Santana sound. The Fans were freaking out as Carlos, David & the Band ripped through a blistering set on a humid New Jersey evening. On Thursday, August 8 we were in the studio in New York City doing guitar over dubs on a new song for the upcoming “Shaman” album. The Band and crew are working extra hard to get the album finished.
August 9th and 10th were the two big New York shows at Jones Beach. The high profile shows always bring out some big names to see what Carlos and the Band are up to. This year Money from the Product G & B joined us for both evenings. He sang on “Maria Maria”, “Make Somebody Happy” and “Right on Be Free”. Carlos jumped up on the drum set and joined Karl and Raul for their solo on Friday night. The showstopper took place on Saturday evening when Carlos introduced Rob Thomas to the Long Island crowd. Rob played on “Smooth”, “Dame Tu Amor” and “Jingo”. Smiles were everywhere as Rob smoothed over the crowd. It was on to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center where Carlos changed up the set list and added a bunch of new songs that are the front-runners for the new album. “One of These Days”, “Truth Don Die” and “Aye Aye Aye” were played for the Saratoga fans. Judging by their reaction, these songs will soon be Santana Classics!
Canada
On August 12 we traveled to Montreal, QUE. After arriving in the city, Carlos went to play some tennis in the afternoon and then took in the Bob Dylan show at the Molson Centre. Bob was in great form! On August 13 we played at the Molson Centre in Montreal. Earlier in the day Carlos met Martina Navratilova in the hotel lobby and invited her to the show. Martina arrived with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and many other professional tennis players who were in town for the Montreal Open. Carlos paid homage to Martina and her legacy by inviting her to the stage during the show and giving her a dozen white roses.
After an over night trip to Toronto the band got some rest for the big show at the Molson Amphitheatre. The crowd was anxious as Rusted Root finished their set. Jazz great, Pat LaBarbera, sat in on Saxophone throughout the evening. Pat is considered one of the finest soloists working within the framework of John Coltrane’s principals. He has recorded with Elvin Jones, Louis Bellson, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich. He added a beautiful vibe to the Santana stage in Toronto.
The Midwestern United States
After two fine shows in Cuyahoga Falls, OH and Noblesville, IN the band headed for a day off just outside of Detroit, MI. Carlos played a little tennis and rested up for the show at the DTE Energy Centre. The crowd was on fire that evening, bursting with youth and energy. Carlos obviously felt that energy and added some interesting selections to the already powerful set list. “Open Invitation” and the P-Funk classic, “Maggot Brain” were played for the first time this tour. The addition of Bob Marley’s “Exodus” with Rusted Root sharing the stage was an incredible way to top off the evening. This was arguably one of the best shows of the tour!
After the show in Grand Rapids, MI the Band headed for “The Windy City” of Chicago. Instead of having the scheduled day off, we took the opportunity to film a music video for the upcoming ”Shaman” album. Carlos and the guys spent around 14 hours on the streets of Chicago, braving the rain to film the first of what will be many music videos to support the album. The residents in the neighborhood were very gracious as filming finished up around 3:00 AM. We will reveal the name of the guest artist and the name of the song soon! The next day the band rose to the occasion at the Tweeter Centre, just outside of Chicago. The show highlight was “Blues For Salvador”. The song was not on the set list, so many in the band were taken by surprise when Carlos and CT started the hauntingly familiar melody. Carlos put so much emotion into every note that everyone on stage stood on silence and soaked up every moment of the song. One crewmember stated, “It is moments like these that makes me remember exactly why we do what we do!”
After a stunning show in Milwaukee, we headed overnight to Minneapolis, MN for the final show of the tour. The Band showed no signs of letting up as they tore into the opening notes of “Yaleo”. As they took the stage for the encores, Myron strummed the opening notes of “Put Your Lights On” and there were smiles everywhere. Being the last show of the tour, Carlos invited Rusted Root to join the band on stage for Bob Marley’s “Exodus”. They were having so much fun, that as the tribal rhythms of “Jingo” began pumping through the arena, no one was leaving the stage. If there wasn’t a house curfew of 11:00 PM, they would still be up there jamming!
To see photos from The Espy’s, Maryland & Philadelphia, PA please click here. To see photos from New York, please click here.
To check out the set lists from this tour click here,scroll down and click on the individual show(s) that you are interested in.