Tom Coster, born on August 21, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, is an esteemed American keyboardist and composer known for his versatility across rock, Latin rock, jazz fusion, and classical genres. Raised in San Francisco, Coster's musical journey began with the piano and accordion, which he pursued through college and during a significant five-year tenure with the U.S. Air Force Band. His career took off in the vibrant Bay Area club scene, leading to collaborations with prominent groups and artists such as The Loading Zone, Gábor Szabó, and notably, Carlos Santana. Joining Santana in 1972, Coster contributed to the band's jazz fusion sound, co-composing hits like "Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)" and "Flor D'Luna (Moonflower)." Beyond Santana, he worked with artists like Billy Cobham, Third Eye Blind, and Joe Satriani, and led his own fusion bands, producing solo albums under labels like Fantasy and JVC. His son, also named Tom Coster, follows in his footsteps as a keyboardist and composer.