Solo work a key part of Blackman-Santana partnership
The working title of Cindy Blackman’s upcoming solo release is “Give The Drummer Some.”
As in, give the drummer some love. Some respect. Some attention. Some fresh sticks, even. Fill it out however you like.
Blackman, who is married to Carlos Santana, is the backbeat and heartbeat of the guitar great’s band at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay (Santana’s performances continue Wednesday through Feb. 4). The couple married in December 2010, and Blackman joined the band full time in January 2016 after spending more than two decades playing behind Lenny Kravitz. Blackman is also a highly respected jazz musician, having achieved that status long before she paired personally and professionally with Santana.
To maximize her artistic ingenuity, Blackman continues her solo work. Her upcoming release “Give The Drummer Some” features luminaries including Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers, Vernon Reid of Living Colour and — supernaturally — Santana himself.
“As a jazz musician, I need creativity, exploring and getting different sounds from my instrument,” Blackman said. “I’m happiest when people are playing their instruments and exploring. As an artist, I have to have that.”
Blackman said the Santana stage show will be revamped for the next series of performances. “Carlos has sent an iPod full of music for the band to choose from but is keeping the most-respected songs.”
Blackman is clearly afforded a lot of latitude onstage, especially with her lengthy solos, during which she stands and slams the cymbals with such force that even her husband braces.
“Carlos loves the drums, and there are points where I can explore and show my energy,” Blackman said. “There is certainly vast amount of musical flavors we have in common.”
One telling difference in Santana’s performances since Blackman has joined him onstage: He spends a lot more time hanging around the drums than he did before. It was after a drum solo during a performance in Tinley Park, Ill. that Santana proposed to Blackman.
“Oh, you can feel the love up there, and it draws us together,” Blackman says with a laugh. “It works out very well.”
KLAS UNVEILS ‘LAS VEGAS NOW’
KLAS-TV, Channel 8 is developing an entertainment-lifestyle show filled with veteran broadcast personalities. “Las Vegas Now” will air at 4 p.m. weekdays beginning Feb. 6.
The anchor lineup: Stacey Gualandi, a writer, producer and reporter for “Entertainment Tonight,” “Inside Edition” and “The Insider”; Kendall Tenney, formerly of KSNV-TV, Channel 3 and founder of PR company 10e Media; Mercedes Martinez, the highly rated host of “Mercedes in the Morning” on KMXB-FM Mix 94.1, and Lindsey Simon, entertainment and lifestyle reporter at KVVU-TV, Channel 5.
DK CHECKS IN
When “The Dave & Mahoney Radio Show” announced its return to KXTE-FM 107.5 beginning Feb. 6, left out of the mix was the duo’s former co-host Daena “DK” Kramer. She had been a member of the on-air team of “Dave & Mahoney and DK Morning Show” when the entire crew moved to Houston in September 2015.
In an email this weekend, Kramer said she hoped she would be part of the team’s relaunch in Vegas.
“I had hoped to return home to Las Vegas and X107.5 with my team. In fact, I assumed that was happening,” said Kramer, who is still living in Houston. “To be honest, I was disappointed, because I love X107.5 and the family of friends I have at CBS Radio Las Vegas, but unfortunately that’s not how things worked out.
“I’m still extremely positive about the future and focused on continuing my career in broadcasting. I’m beyond excited to find a new morning radio family and I will hit the ground running when that time comes.”
WHAT WORKS IN VEGAS?
Steve Martin and Martin Short star in “An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest of Your Lives featuring the Steep Canyon Rangers and Jeff Babko” (yes, that is the marquee-defying title) at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Two dates have been added for Martin and Short: Aug. 25 and Oct. 29, with tickets going on sale at noon Friday. The comic legends had already been booked April 9 and July 23. The show debuted last March , and in a private meet-and-greet afterward, Short said the show was a test-drive for future dates at Caesars. “That is the plan, and as long as our schedules allow, we’d love to do it.”
Short has previously headlined, solo, at the Mirage. Martin and the Rangers have played there, too, and also Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center for Performing Arts.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV-FM 91.5 and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
