Raul rekow biography

BY PHIL HOOD

Raul Rekow, the conguero for Carlos Santana&#;s band for more than three decades, died today of complications from cancer. Raul was

Raul worked with Santana from to and was crucial to the sound of the band. His colorful rhythms and infectious enthusiasm for the music made a lasting impression on audiences around the world, and on other drummers.

The San Francisco-born Rekow was initially self-taught. He joined the band Malo, led by Carlos Santana&#;s brother Jorge Santa in They had a huge hit with &#;Suavecito.&#; After Malo he joined Sapo, another Latin-rock band, before getting asked to jam with Carlos in Soon after he was invited to join the band. There he learned from Santana veterans such as the legendary Armando Peraza and Orestes Vilato.

Anyone who has had a chance to see one of Raul&#;s clinics with fellow Santana alumnus Karl Perazzo in recent years knows what a special drummer he is. Their clinics had the energy of big concerts. As site put

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Longtime Santana grupp Member Raul Rekow Dies

Raul Rekow, who played percussion with the Santana grupp almost continuously from , has died. He appeared on 16 Santana studio efforts, including 's Top 10 hit Moonflower, 's Zebop! (featuring the Top 20 song "Winning"), 's times platinumSupernatural and Carlos Santana's most recent solo album, 's Corazon.

"We mourn the loss of my brother, Raul Rekow," Santana said, via Facebook. "He was an integral member of Santana for 34 years and the heart beat of the grupp. His presence on the stage was one of power, grace, collaboration and joy. He redefined what it means to be a conga player."

A tribute photo was also posted to Rekow's personal Facebook page:

The job with Santana was a dream komma true to Rekow, who only took up the congas after seeing a pre-fame edition of the band at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in "There was a conga drummer named Marcus Malone,&q

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American percussionist Raul Rekow passed away November 1st, Rekow was a member of the Carlos Santana band from through (with a two-year break).

Raul Rekow was born Junw 10, in San Francisco. At the age of 15, Rekow played Santana songs in a band called Soul Sacrifice. After that, he became a member of Malo, Jorge Santana’s band (Carlos Santana’s brother). Later, from to Rekow played in Sapo, another Chicano rock band.

Rekow learned Afro-Cuban percussion from Santana veterans Armando Peraza and Orestes Vilato.

In , Santana invited Rekow to record in the album &#;Festival&#; as a substitute for the ailing Armando Peraza.

Raul Rekow also recorded and performed with Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Tremaine Hawkins, Herbie Hancock and others.

Musical instrument maker Latin Percussion (LP) worked with Rekow to create the LP Raul Rekow Signature congas and bongos.

Carlos Santana released a statement on his Facebook page: &#;We mourn the loss of my brother,