Michael Shrieve

The Profile

Michael Shrieve is an American drummer and composer best known as the original drummer of Santana, performing at Woodstock and recording the band’s early albums. Beyond rock, he has explored jazz fusion and ambient music, notably on Fascination (2001) with Bill Frisell and Wayne Horvitz, and through collaborations with Klaus Schulze and the Go project.

Born July 6, 1949, in San Francisco, California; original drummer of Santana (late 1960s–mid-1970s) and one of Woodstock’s youngest performers; later pursued genre-blending projects spanning jazz fusion, ambient, and world music.

A single, glowing review focuses on Shrieve’s 2001 album Fascination, praising its foggy, immersive blend of jazz, rock, blues, and ambient textures. Bill Frisell and Wayne Horvitz help craft a refined, shape-shifting trio sound. The write-up highlights specific tracks and dynamics, from funky grooves to cosmic reverberations. It also nods to Shrieve’s roots as Santana’s original drummer and his genre-crossing spirit.