Carlos Santana's brother, guitarist Jorge Santana, dead at 68
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Carlos Santana's brother Jorge Santana has died. He was 68.
The famed guitarist announced the death of his brother on his official Facebook account early Friday.
"We take time to celebrate the magnificent spirit of our beloved brother Jorge. He transitioned unto the realm of light that cast no shadow," Carlos wrote. "The eyes of my heart clearly see him right in between our glorious and magnificent mother Josefina and our father Jose...They are caressing his face and kissing his hands showering him with Light and Love. We love cherish and honor your soul."
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A rep for told TMZ that he died of natural causes.
Like Carlos, Jorge became known for his impressive guitar skills, beginning at the reported age of 14 when he joined a band in the 1960s called The Malibus.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jorge's band later changed their name to Malo. They went on to sign with Warner Bros. and became best known for their hit "Suavecito."
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With Jorge on guitar, Malo produced three more albums before splitting up, according to reports. Carlos' younger brother also played in The Fania All-Stars.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The San Francisco native had two solo albums titled "Jorge Santana." He also released a third titled "It's All About Love."
Jorge also shared the stage with Carlos. In the 1990s, the brothers and their nephew Carlos Hernandez teamed up to release the 1994 album "Santana Brothers."
In a statement obtained by Fox News on Friday, Aki Starr, a current MALO vocalist, said: "I am devastated and at a loss for words finding out about the passing of Jorge Santana. Jorge was more than a fellow musician to me. In the last 20 years, Jorge became my best friend, my older brother, and someone I loved very much."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Starr, who first met Jorge in 1999, recalled being "star-struck" when he was "able to sing right next to Jorge" as he played the guitar.
"Our friendship grew over the years," Starr continued. "As time went by, Jorge asked me to be his lead singer for his band, The Jorge Santana Band. I was truly honored and humbled by his request. We toured all over the United States and always had a blast performing together."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jorge Santana performs at On The Green 2016 San Francisco Fest at AT&T Park on September 4, 2016 in San Francisco, Calif. (Steve Jennings/WireImage)
Starr worked on several EPs with Jorge included "Many Faces," "Gracias Madrecita," and the upcoming "Restoration."
"Besides these releases, there were so many other songs that Jorge and I worked on and so many projects we had in store," Starr said. "Touring with Malo and Jorge all these years has been such a pleasure and honor. They are moments I will never forget. My prayers go out to the entire Santana family during this extremely sad time. I'd like to thank everyone for all the support and prayers. Jorge, mi Hermano, (my brother) and best friend, thank you for believing in me and inviting me into your musical world. It's been such an honor to have experienced that with you. I love you. May your beautiful guitar playing bring joy and love to everyone in Heaven."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Richard Bean of Malo also issued a statement, obtained by Fox News, on Friday, saying: "I am saddened by the news I received yesterday of my good friend and musical brother, Jorge Santana’s passing. Jorge and I played together in the Malibu’s in the late 1960’s before we became MALO and signed with Warner Bros.
"I first met Jorge when we were rehearsing at my home in San Francisco. One of our band members, Carlos Gomez at the time brought Jorge to rehearsal and Jorge liked the band. From that day on we began our musical journey.
"Over several decades Jorge and I collaborated together on many songs. I wrote and recorded, Suavecito which was our biggest hit song and Jorge was in studio with us as well.
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"When Jorge went on a solo career we continued performing together in the Jorge Santana Band," Bean continued. "I wrote more songs during that time and one song in particular was titled, 'Love the Way' in which Jorge introduced onto his 'Bikini' album released in 1978. I had written many songs on that album and enjoyed our collaboration
"My Heart goes out to his family, friends and those who had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him at one time or another.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"MALO is still touring now that I am leading the band however we are on hiatus at this time due to the virus issue. My bandmates and I will continue to carry the legacy of MALO in memory of Jorge as he was a huge contributor to our success," Bean concluded.