STANTANA

Stantana is based on the love of Carlos Santana's music and the legendary spirit he expresses throughout every note he plays. We have learned his material and applied our decades of professional experience, our talents and hearts to replicate the sound we all recognize and love. Young and old, rich and poor, here and there - Carlos' music is loved by ALL demographics. Santana has stirred the spirit of people across the world. It is our mission and honor to be able to evoke a recognition of that sentiment in every listener's heart.

Stan Stapleton: (otherwise known as Stan-tana);
This guitar player is the most passionate, energetic, talented player you have seen in a long, long time. If you close your eyes, you WILL hear Santana when Stan plays. He carries much more than the notes themselves - his notes have the SOUND, the FEEL, and the SPIRIT that you will recognize and that will move you.

Terry Ontis:
Terry has a devotion and respect for the music of Santana that you can especially hear every time he breaks into one of those unforgetable timeless solos that he NAILS. He makes those signature keyboard lines spread smiles across a room - you gotta check this guy out. He is true to the sounds and passion of Santana music.

Carolyn Ittner:
This drummer has played for over 30 years, 20 of them being mostly in the St. Louis blues scene where her authenticity and feel gave her the reputation as St. Louis' "Shuffle Queen". She brings energy, faithfulness and passion to the foundation of this exciting Santana project. Her years of experience and talent are instantly detected during any given moment - in the fierce or the tender - of Stantana's rich repertoire.

Mike Hughes:
Mike Hughes has a passion for this project that is reflected in every strike of his beautiful congas, timbales, bongos and other percussion. Mike brings a stable positive energy that drives like a vein through the body of Stantana's sound. You'll feel that energizing Santana percussive thread throughout every Stantana tune. His solid vocals also lay out those tunes we all know and love so much.

Craig Thornton:
This is one of St. Louis' most well known and loved bass players. Craig has played in the city (and other places in the world)consistently for over 30 years with numerous groups. Like Stan, Craig has a sound in every note he plays that carries a fullness, a warmth, a consistency and energy that will make this music move right into your heart and will make your feet want to move. This is a bass player that will delight you audibly and viscerally.

Danny Mendoza;:
As our newest member of the band, Danny brings that fresh enthusiasm players and listeners alike find contagious. His vocals are dynamic and fresh and full of the passion that is at the heart of this music we play. We are thrilled to have him join this project!