The percussion-heavy band joins Santana’s samba-line as special guests for a North American East Coast tour. The summertime shed venture will hit 18 East Coast and Midwest cities July 31 through August 25.

Rusted Root have shows of their own in July and one at the end of August.

This outing won’t be the first time the two bands have shared stages, although it’s been a few years since the last pairing. 1997 saw Rusted Root supporting Santana on a North American summer tour.

“I expect to be up onstage with Santana and have him [Carlos Santana] play three or four songs I’ve never heard, and he’s gonna point to me about 30 seconds into each song and ask me to take a solo,” joked Rusted Root lead singer/guitarist Michael Glabicki. “Then he’s going to walk offstage with a cigar and leave me there. Always with Carlos, it’s a big, huge smile; that’s what I love about playing with him.”

Jokes aside, Glabicki and band are excited to be out on the road, especially since founding member Jenn Wertz has rejoined their ranks.

“Having Jenn back makes a big difference,” said Glabicki. “There’s a lot more energy onstage and she adds a whole new charisma to the performance.”

Wertz parted with the group a few years back to pursue a solo career but was eventually persuaded to rejoin. Rusted Root’s new album, Welcome To My Party, features Wertz as well as original members Liz Berlin, John Bunyak, Jim Donovan, Patrick Norman, and Glabicki.

Santana, meanwhile, wrap their European outing, which sees the band playing to Portugal, France and Italy in the next few days. Fans can expect to see the band’s new album, titled Shaman, by the year’s end.