José “Chepito” Areas is a renowned Nicaraguan percussionist best known as a founding member of Santana. Celebrated for his dynamic timbales and conga playing, he helped define Santana’s groundbreaking fusion of Latin rhythms, rock, and blues in the late 1960s and 1970s. Areas’ passionate, rhythm-driven performances were integral to iconic recordings such as *Abraxas* and *Santana III*. His innovative approach brought Latin percussion to mainstream rock audiences, earning him recognition as one of the key figures in shaping Latin rock’s global sound. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 with Santana.