The companies related to Santana and music icon Carlos Santana have relocated from Northern California to Las Vegas, NV, under the new corporation Cristalino, Inc. The holding company is run by the executive team of Michael and Maria Vrionis.
"It is an honor to be working with Carlos Santana on the next phase of building the Santana brand and strategizing on future projects and partnerships with Cristalino," said Michael Vrionis. "The environment and energy of Las Vegas are great inspirations."
Previously, these companies were based in San Rafael, CA. Remaining at that address is Universal Tone Management, also run by Michael and Maria Vrionis, which handles Carlos Santana's personal management. Cristalino, Inc. has contracted with Universal Tone to oversee all of its Nevada-based operations.
Businesses comprising Cristalino, Inc. are the music label Guts & Grace Records, Inc.; Starfaith LLC, the administrative entity overseeing music publishing issues, and Santana Tesoro, LLC, DBA River Of Colors, the licensing entity for branded products including Carlos by Carlos Santana Shoes, hats, and purses, Maria Maria Restaurants, and signature musical instruments and gear.
Seeds for the move to Las Vegas were sown when longtime San Francisco Bay Area resident Carlos Santana and the Santana Band became the first artist-in-residence at the new Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The acclaimed show Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through The Hits premiered in 2009. The next dates for the show are planned for April/May, 2011.
"My time in Las Vegas has been so exciting that I decided to buy a home here last year and move the band's base to Las Vegas," said Carlos Santana. "It is wonderful to be exploring this new phase of my life in the beautiful State of Nevada."
Currently, Santana is preparing to go on the road with the Guitar Heaven 2011 Tour, beginning with a leg in Asia and Australia this March. A European itinerary commences in June.