Santana “J-von” Walker was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the age of six, he began playing drums at his home church “Miracle Faith Center”. Although he was raised playing gospel music and listening to 90’s R&B music, he grew to love and appreciate other genres of music as well: such as neo-soul, country, jazz, blues, rock music, blues rock and everything in between.

Santana credits his incredible skill of playing drums to a few of his hometown influences. His biggest two being: Eric Brantley and Ernest “Big Ernie” Byrd followed by Dontaye Mackey, Jeremiah Greene and Jermaine Gentry. His other “professional” influences are LaDell Abrams, Calvin Rogers, Marvin McQuitty, Aaron Spears, Robert “Sput” Searight, George “Spanky” McCurdy, Nissan Stewart, Chris Dave and Mike Reid.