INTERVIEW
He was committed to his art despite all the obstacles and challenges.
By Linda Marie Verreault. Ottawa, ON. January 2025.
It is a cold winter evening; Carlos Alberto Santana plays the piano and his fingers glide improvising effortlessly. The Option Jazz Lounge is located within the Brook Street Hotel in Kanata. On January 15th at 6:30 p.m. the room came alive with the Latin jazz improvisations resulting in a dazzling performance.
Santana's journey as a Latin jazz pianist and composer is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and perseverance in the pursuit of artistic excellence. Performing at venues throughout the city. The National Arts Centre is one of his favourite venues, and memorable with a captivated audience and a beautiful venue. As an artist it is nice to be appreciated for the years of hard work and dedication it takes to perfect an instrument and improvisational skill that is required to perform at that high a level. He is constantly working on his craft. Whether it’s composing, practicing, or performing, Santana's continuous efforts to improve his craft underline the discipline required to sustain a career in music.
From a young age he had a love for the piano requesting from his parents’ piano lessons, after hearing piano music on the radio. Studying classical music with a musical family of musicians in Mexico. They taught him the basics of classical music, the normal curriculum. His inclination toward improvisation was always an issue, “I always tended to improvise when I was playing, and they were upset.” “This is not what is written there,” said, his teacher. “But it is what I feel” said, Santana. “As a result, I found my place in Jazz.” His unique musical identity was created by studying both classical music and jazz improvisation under various maestros Angel Esteva, Juan Jose Calatayud and Jan Jarczyk.
The Latin jazz pianist and composer is a member of a jazz quartet featured with Alvaro de Minaya (Drums and Percussion) Daniel Chavolla (Bass) and Jasmim Lalande (Saxophone and Flute. With two group albums to his credit, “Oye Latino” released in 2015 and “La Azotea” available online in 2020 and a solo piano album released in 2024. Their quartet is working on another album, and he is releasing another piano solo album online where his music is featured internationally.
He maintains a dual identity working as an electrical engineer by day and Latin jazz musician at night. Learning to optimize his energy levels, he finds that “music energizes me,” said Santana. His dedication reflects how passion in the arts can energize your professional career. When he gets to his keyboard his energy is always there to perform. However, he looks forward to retiring and dedicating himself to his music.
Inspiration can strike on a moment’s notice, so he is prepared. “I compose a lot; I don’t have the time sometimes to polish the music to put it in an album. I have keyboards everywhere on all the floors, were watching a movie, I have my keyboard, and I am practicing, or I have my iPad”
His story is a reminder of the countless hours of unseen work. It is also crucial to balance his commitments, which he achieves with the support of his family, his wife and two daughters.
After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering he decided to pursue his music. He sold his car, quit his job and pursed his passion for music in Montreal. He made sacrifices to pursue his music. He had to return to Mexico, and completing his master’s degree, to return to Canada and he pursued his studies of jazz improvisation, his one true calling. He was committed to his art form despite all the obstacles and challenges.
It takes resilience, passion and sacrifice, his journey is a reminder to others of the dedication and commitment necessary to pursue one’s dream.