Carlos Santana, the legendary rock guitarist, has passed on his remarkable musical talent to his three children: Salvador, Stella, and Angelica. Each of his children has made a name for themselves in the creative world, with Salvador and Stella following closely in their father’s footsteps as musicians, while Angelica has carved out her own path as a poet and artist. Their success is not surprising, given the strong musical influence they grew up with under the guidance of their famous father. This article explores their individual journeys and how they have each inherited Santana’s creativity and passion for the arts.
Santana’s Early Life and Family Legacy
Carlos Santana rose to international fame as the founding member of Santana, a band known for its fusion of rock and Latin American music, featuring timeless hits like “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va.” His distinctive guitar style and powerful compositions made him one of the most influential musicians of his generation. Santana, having grown up in a family where music was central, wanted to instill the same love for music in his own children. In 1972, he met and married his first wife, Deborah King, and together, they had three children: Salvador, Stella, and Angelica.
In a 2007 interview with PEOPLE, Santana reflected on his childhood, recalling how his father taught him to play music, which inspired him to do the same with his children. “They’re all musical,” he shared. “In our house, learning to play the piano is required.” This musical foundation has shaped each of Santana’s children into the creative artists they are today.
Encouraging Creative Freedom
Although Carlos Santana encouraged his children to pursue music, he was mindful not to push them too hard, unlike his own father. He wanted them to discover their artistic potential in their own time. In an interview with The Guardian in 2014, Santana explained, “I told them it was in them and to stop fighting it. But it took them a while to accept that.” He assured them that they didn’t need to follow his exact path but should embrace their inherent musicality. “The sooner you get to it, the faster you will create diamonds,” he added.
As a result of this gentle encouragement, all three of Santana’s children have embraced their artistic sides. While Salvador and Stella have made music their careers, Angelica has focused more on visual art and poetry, though she still sings and plays piano.
Salvador Santana: A Musical Legacy
Santana’s eldest child, Salvador, began his musical journey at just three years old. He started by playing drums with his father before picking up the piano and guitar at the age of six. His early start paved the way for a successful career in music. Salvador attended the prestigious California Institute of the Arts in Southern California, where he honed his craft before launching his professional career.
In 2008, Salvador released his debut album with the Salvador Santana Band, followed by solo albums such as Keyboard City in 2010. Throughout his career, he has performed at major festivals, including Bonnaroo and South by Southwest, and has even won a Grammy alongside his father. Despite being the son of a music legend, Salvador has always strived to create his own identity within the industry.
In a 2011 interview with the Marin Independent Journal, Salvador explained his desire to step out of his father’s shadow: “I’m trying to show that I went to school, studied, and I’m an established musician with the technique to back up the talent I have to offer.” His mission was to prove that he was more than just a famous last name, showcasing his talent and hard work.
Stella Santana: Forging Her Own Path
Santana’s second child, Stella, also followed him into the music industry, although her journey started later. Like her siblings, Stella grew up surrounded by music, but she initially chose a different path, focusing on academics. She earned a degree in international and intercultural communication from Pepperdine University in 2007 before ultimately deciding to pursue music.
In 2015, Stella released her first singles in the R&B genre, and the following year, she dropped her debut album, Selfish. Since then, she has released two EPs, Distant and Distant II, both in 2021. These EPs reflect a blend of her father’s influence and her own unique sound. In 2024, she continued to produce new music, releasing singles in May and June of that year.
Despite following her father’s career path, Stella has expressed the importance of being cautious in the music industry. In a 2023 interview with The Knockturnal, she revealed that her parents had always emphasized trusting her intuition and being mindful of who she aligned herself with professionally.
Angelica Santana: A Poet and Visual Artist
Unlike her older siblings, Angelica has taken a different path in the arts. She is a poet, visual artist, and archivist, though she is also musically inclined, having shared videos of herself singing and playing piano on her social media. Angelica’s passion lies in graphic design, poetry, and visual arts, and she creates greeting cards, stationery sets, and journals on themes like self-care and body image through her online brand, Art by Jelli.
In 2024, Angelica published a limited-release poetry collection called Give Them Teeth, which was warmly received by her family and fans. Her mother, Deborah, proudly shared one of Angelica’s poems, “Stone Fruit,” on Instagram, praising her daughter’s creativity and healing spirit. Angelica’s passion for both art and activism aligns with her father’s philanthropic endeavors, and she often shares her efforts to raise awareness about social issues on her platforms.
Collaborating as a Family
Although each of Santana’s children has their own individual career, they have frequently collaborated with their father. Salvador worked with his father on the 1999 Grammy-winning album Supernatural, co-writing the song “El Farol” in honor of Santana’s father. In 2021, both Salvador and Stella contributed to Santana’s album Blessings and Miracles, with Salvador co-writing the song “Rumbalero” and Stella working on the track “Breathing Underwater.”
The family’s musical collaboration goes beyond formal projects. Angelica has shared on social media that they often create music together just for fun. In a 2017 Instagram post, she shared a video of her playing piano while Salvador accompanied her, noting how special it was to share those creative moments with her siblings.
Family and Legacy
Santana’s children have also passed on his musical legacy to their own children. Salvador and his wife Megan, a costume designer, have a son named Steven River Santana, born in 2018. Stella welcomed her own child, Koa, in 2021 with her husband. Both Salvador and Stella frequently share their parenting experiences on social media, often posting about how they hope to pass on the same love for music and creativity to the next generation.
Conclusion
Carlos Santana’s children — Salvador, Stella, and Angelica — have each carved out their own unique paths in the creative world while carrying forward their father’s legacy. With the musical talent and creativity passed down from Santana, they have each found success in their respective fields. Whether through music, poetry, or art, the Santana family continues to inspire others with their passion and dedication to their craft.
