Jose Santana; Violinist and Father of Carlos Santana

Jose Santana, 84, violinist who performed with symphony orchestras and mariachi bands. He was the father of rock guitarist Carlos Santana. The elder Santana, born in Cuautla, Mexico, learned to play violin from his father. He began as a symphony musician and orchestra leader in Mexico. In 1940, Santana switched to mariachi music and performed with his band Los Cardinales in Tijuana and Southern California through the 1950s. Moving to San Francisco, he performed regularly at the Latin American Club, La Terazza and El Tapatio and in recent years played at La Cantina in Mill Valley. On Saturday in San Francisco of heart failure.