Album Notes

It's hard to believe that SaNa started playing bass just 5 years ago; at age 50. And, in those 5 years, The SaNa Band has recorded 3 CDs. This third CD, 'Black Cat Blues', is a nice mix of SaNa's original tunes with oldies but goodies from Isaac Hayes, Memphis Minnie, Memphis Slim, Johnny Ace, Willie Dixon, Denise LaSalle, Jimi Hendrix and Jr. Walker. SaNa has stuck with that 'live' sound that she loves so well. The CD was recorded live at Liz and Lee's Live in East Point GA. And, Gene Kreeft, the master engineer, made sure to keep that feel in the mix. If you close your eyes, you can smell the chicken livers and gizzards that Liz and Lee's is so famous for. You can see the audience undulating peacefully on top of that serious bass that SaNa lays down. You can see the smiles, feel the hugs, and reminisce on the lyrics. Enjoy..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is the story of Sandra "SaNa" Foster's journey into the world of entertainment. Her trip began in 1954, at age 6, when she was in the first grade. SaNa moved from the small ore mining town of Bessemer, Alabama, to the Laurel Home 'Projects' in Cincinnati, Ohio where she attended Washburn Elementary School. SaNa realized early on that she could not keep up with the fast paced city folk with her southern drawl and small town attitude. Fortunately, the apartment building she moved into housed a library in the basement. What better way to learn about where she was and what she could become. Her worldview expanded as she read books on growing up and liking it, explored the London Bridge, or discovered the warm, sandy beaches of foreign shores. Being book smart gave her an upper hand when she needed to be street smart. Instead of fighting, she mediated. Instead of cursing, she spoke words her peers never heard. Instead of stealing, she bartered. As she gained respect as a scholar, her teachers, family, and peers chose her to lead. SaNa's leadership skills were enhanced by the love and encouragement of her seven brothers. According to SaNa, "Growing up with brothers helped me to balance my male/female character traits. From the male side I learned to be independent and rise to the top of the hierarchy. From the female side I learned to be interdependent and work collectively. I give eternal thanks for the lessons I learned from my brothers Norman, Alvin, Terry, Thomas, Dennis, Oscar and Carnis. With their backup, I never had to worry about getting into fights, or being picked on by other kids. I felt safe to explore my environment and develop my own personal identity." Part of SaNa's personal identity is her ability to perform in front of a crowd. Her first performance was in the fourth grade when she sang in the choir at Washburn Elementary School. Later, she became a cheerleader at Samuel Ach Jr. High School. While attending Samuel Ach, SaNa had to choose between enrolling in home economics or the orchestra. She chose to play the violin in the orchestra. SaNa continued cheerleading and orchestra at Robert A. Taft High School where she also enrolled in the choir. The Choir Director issued SaNa an ultimatum to either quit cheerleading or quit the choir. He felt that cheerleading would harm her voice. SaNa quit the choir. In her freshman and junior years at Taft High School, SaNa played in the orchestra for the School's Annual 'Taft Capades'. In her senior year, SaNa was selected to dance in, and help choreograph the 'Taft Capades'. That's when the Orchestra Director gave her an ultimatum to either quit the orchestra or quit the dance troop. He did not think she would be able to balance both of the assignments. So, she quit the orchestra. According to SaNa, "I assumed that was the end of my music career. Although I sang in the choir in elementary school, and played in the orchestra in junior high and high school, I never learned how to read music. I would get the music teacher or one of my peers to play or hum the