Beaver Creek Band Plays Nonstop Two Hour Santana Tribute

Aspen —Two hours. That is the length of the continuous musical marathon Santa Rios will perform at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek this Friday. For context, this isn’t a standard set list with breaks between songs; the band plays non-stop from the first note to the last.

The driving force behind the tribute is Trevor “Bones” Davis, who first heard Carlos Santana live at age 12. That experience changed his career trajectory, leading him to become a drummer and eventually assemble a lineup capable of replicating the original sound. Davis spent years searching for the right musicians before finding his partners within the Arkansas Valley. He now collaborates closely with fellow percussionist George Mossman, a partnership that has already produced successful large-scale events like “The Last Waltz” in Salida.

On stage, the group aims for precision. They play five decades of Santana music note-for-note, often choosing to recreate live versions of songs rather than sticking strictly to studio recordings. This approach allows them to capture the improvisational energy that defined Santana’s peak years. The setlist covers the full spectrum of the artist’s catalog, moving from the psychedelic jams associated with San Francisco and Woodstock eras to the timeless hits from the 1999 “Supernatural” album.

One of the band’s distinct characteristics is their willingness to deviate from the source material. While Santana was known for weaving subtle cameos of other artists into his compositions, Santa Rios takes a more brash approach. Davis explains that they don’t just hint at other influences; they explicitly insert full verses and choruses from bands like Chicago or Paul Simon into the Santana framework. It’s a deliberate choice to extend the segues longer than the original artist did, creating a dense, layered texture that keeps the audience engaged.

The show is designed to be physically demanding for the audience as much as the performers. Because the music doesn’t stop, anyone who starts dancing might find themselves moving continuously for the entire duration of the event. There are no intermissions, no quiet moments, and no opportunity to catch your breath while the band is on stage.

Santa Rios has built a reputation for high-energy concerts that sell out venues across Colorado. Their ability to replicate the complex arrangements of Santana’s music requires a high level of technical proficiency from every member of the ensemble. The band works together to ensure that the transitions between songs are seamless, maintaining the momentum of the performance throughout the two-hour block.

Davis believes the music continues to resonate because of the positive emotional core it provides. The lyrics are largely free of negativity, and the melodies are designed to be soothing and relatable. The blend of ancient tribal African and Afro-Cuban rhythms, combined with a blues and rock foundation, creates a sound that hits directly at the core of the human experience. This combination of rhythmic complexity and emotional accessibility is what allows the music to translate effectively to modern audiences.

For locals attending the show in Beaver Creek, the practical impact is a commitment of time and energy. You are signing up for a two-hour continuous performance where the music flows from one song to the next without pause. If you enjoy dancing, be prepared to keep moving for the entire set. The band’s style is relentless, ensuring that the energy stays high from start to finish. It’s a unique experience that goes beyond a simple concert, offering a deep dive into the history and evolution of one of rock music’s most influential artists.