Gilberto Santa Rosa
Encyclopedia
Gilberto Santa Rosa, also known as "El Caballero de la Salsa" (The Gentleman of Salsa) (born August 21, 1962), is a Puerto Rican
bandleader
and singer of salsa
and bolero
.
, a city on the north eastern part of the Island. Here he received his primary and secondary education and became interested in music. He took part in his first concert while a teenager and in 1976, he made his recording debut as a backup singer with the Mario Ortiz Orchestra; soon afterwards he was recruited by La Grande Orchestra, where he became the lead singer. He remained with the orchestra for two years, during which time he met Elias Lopes who helped to mold and polish him as a singer.
" (Tribute to Eddie Palmieri) with the Puerto Rican All Stars. He also recorded with various orchestras, amongst them the Tommy Olivencia
Orchestra, the Willie Rosario
orchestra and El Gran Combo
.
Santa Rosa developed a unique style of "soneo" (improvisation) in salsa that permitted him to be successful in both the "tropical" and "romantic" styles of the music.
In 1986, Santa Rosa formed his own band and signed with Combo Records; a string of hits followed, such as "Good Vibration", "De Amor y Salsa" (Of Love and Salsa), "Punto de Vista" (Point of View), "Vivir Sin Ella" (Living without Her) and "Perspectiva".
Santa Rosa was also the first singer of tropical salsa to carry out a concert at the Carnegie Hall Theater
, in New York
, where he performed as the opening number, his unique version of the salsa tune, "Represento" (I Represent), composed by Lou Briel
. This event was recorded live
at the hall, and later released as an album. A highlight of the night was the four-minute unscripted addition he made to his song "Perdoname" (Forgive Me), which solidified his improvisational talent. This live version became such a sensation thereafter that Santa Rosa had to memorize his own improvised lines for future concerts, and Perdoname became the closing song to his shows.
In 1990, Santa Rosa joined the all star "La Puertoriqueña" project which included Andy Montañez
; in the same year he was awarded the Billboard Lo Nuestro Award for Best Male Singer. He also participated in the play "La Pareja Dispareja" (The Odd Couple) alongside Luis Vigoreaux
and Rafo Muñiz
. In 1995, Santa Rosa traveled to Japan as Puerto Rico's Good Will Ambassador, where he sang "De Cara al Viento" (Facing the Wind) in Japanese. In 1996, the greatest hits album "Caballero de la Salsa, Vol 2" was released and he also participated in the First "Festival Presidente" in the Dominican Republic
(a Latin music festival sponsored by local Presidente beer). In 1997, he sang with Andy Montañez
in New York
s Lincoln Center and later that year, with Olga Tañon
at the Universal Studios Amphitheater in Hollywood, California.
Santa Rosa has taken on himself the task of keeping Tito Rodríguez
's musical legacy alive and has acquired much of Tito's memorabilia, including articles of clothing, music and furniture from his home in Puerto Rico. Santa Rosa has staged several concerts and dances honoring the late singer, and recorded an album of his where with the use of modern technology, he sings "En la Soledad" (In Solitude), composed by Puchi Balseiro
in a duet with him . During the week of February 24, 2003 Santa Rosa organized a two-night concert at the Center of the Performing Arts in Caguas, Puerto Rico
. As an introduction to the event, he arranged for his private collection of Tito Rodríguez memorabilia to be exhibited in the lobby of the center. In 2004, he released "Autentico".
In addition, he has long played an important role in the career of his friend and protege, Víctor Manuelle
, who Santa Rosa discovered. The two released a joint live album late in 2005, "Dos Soneros, Una Historia." In 2006, he released, "Directo Al Corazon", and in 2007 he carried out a concert acknowledged by the critics, in Plaza Colón
at Santo Domingo
and released Contraste with Conteo Regresivo being a major album hit. Furthermore, he performs alongside Chucho Avellanet
, a musical comedy club-act called, Cantando y Contando, (Singing & Telling Stories), throughout the island.
On February 9, 2008 Santa Rosa participated in an event named "Concierto del amor" which was organized in the Madison Square Garden
. In June 2008, "Contraste" received Gold and Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America
. According to the organization, the production has sold over 1,500,000 copies. At the moment of certification, the album's first single "Conteo regresive" had been sixteen weeks in the first place among Billboard's tropical list. Meanwhile "No te vayas" began gaining positions in the same list. After participating in New York City's Puerto Rican Day Parade
, Santa Rosa prepared to begin an international tour beginning on June 13, 2008, in New Orleans before proceeding to Tampa, Florida
, Ecuador
, Chile
, Spain, Colombia
and Mexico. The concert in Chile, on June 28, 2008, was Santa Rosa's first ever in said country. the event took place in the Caupolicán Theatre and was attended by approximately 8,000 fans. On July 5, 2008, Santa Rosa became the first salsa singer to perform at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona
. The event was a Sold Out, filling the venue with an attendance of 2,000. Santa Rosa was selected to perform at the "Balón de Oro" award ceremony, the most important condecoration in Mexican Football. Santa Rosa was selected to take part in "La Nueva Salsa", where he would perform along several young salsa artists. Santa Rosa has also contributed to improving Puerto Rico's public education system. He participated in Sapientis Week, an initiative sponsored by the non-profit Sapientis
which brings distinguished public figures into classrooms in order to raise the public's awareness of the education crisis in Puerto Rico. On July 17, 2010, he participated in the opening ceremony of the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games.
with the key to the city and a star on the Walk of Fame at Union City's Celia Cruz
Park. As of 2010, he holds the record for the most number-one albums on the Billboard Tropical Albums
chart.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
and singer of salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
and bolero
Bolero
Bolero is a form of slow-tempo Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins.The term is also used for some art music...
.
Early years
Santa Rosa was born in Carolina, Puerto RicoCarolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina is a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; it lies north of Gurabo and Juncos; east of Trujillo Alto and San Juan; and west of Canóvanas and Loíza. Carolina is spread over 12 wards plus Carolina Pueblo...
, a city on the north eastern part of the Island. Here he received his primary and secondary education and became interested in music. He took part in his first concert while a teenager and in 1976, he made his recording debut as a backup singer with the Mario Ortiz Orchestra; soon afterwards he was recruited by La Grande Orchestra, where he became the lead singer. He remained with the orchestra for two years, during which time he met Elias Lopes who helped to mold and polish him as a singer.
Singing career
During the 1980s, he recorded "Homenaje a Eddie PalmieriEddie Palmieri
Eddie Palmieri , is a Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican pianist, bandleader and musician, best known for combining jazz piano and instrumental solos with Latin rhythms.-Early years:...
" (Tribute to Eddie Palmieri) with the Puerto Rican All Stars. He also recorded with various orchestras, amongst them the Tommy Olivencia
Tommy Olivencia
Tommy Olivencia was a renowned bandleader of salsa music.-Early years:Olivencia, was born Ángel Tomás Olivencia Pagán in the Villa Palmeras section of Santurce, Puerto Rico. His family moved to the city of Arecibo when he was just a child. There received his primary and secondary education...
Orchestra, the Willie Rosario
Willie Rosario
Willie Rosario a.k.a. "Mr. Afinque" is a musician, composer and bandleader of salsa music.-Early years:Rosario was born and raised in Coamo, Puerto Rico into a poor, but hard working family. His parents realized that as a child Willie was musically inclined and had him take guitar lessons at the...
orchestra and El Gran Combo
El Gran Combo
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, commonly known as El Gran Combo, is a Puerto Rican Salsa music orchestra. It is Puerto Rico's most successful musical group, and one of the most popular salsa orchestras across Latin America...
.
Santa Rosa developed a unique style of "soneo" (improvisation) in salsa that permitted him to be successful in both the "tropical" and "romantic" styles of the music.
In 1986, Santa Rosa formed his own band and signed with Combo Records; a string of hits followed, such as "Good Vibration", "De Amor y Salsa" (Of Love and Salsa), "Punto de Vista" (Point of View), "Vivir Sin Ella" (Living without Her) and "Perspectiva".
Santa Rosa was also the first singer of tropical salsa to carry out a concert at the Carnegie Hall Theater
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
, in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he performed as the opening number, his unique version of the salsa tune, "Represento" (I Represent), composed by Lou Briel
Lou Briel
Lou Briel, is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, comedian, producer, pianist, and host, among other things.-Early Years with Anexo 3:...
. This event was recorded live
Recorded live track
A recorded live track is a song or audio sequence recorded from live performances .Live song tracks typically have concert hall noise . Though often less precise than practiced, studio recordings, live recordings may offer a more exciting feel...
at the hall, and later released as an album. A highlight of the night was the four-minute unscripted addition he made to his song "Perdoname" (Forgive Me), which solidified his improvisational talent. This live version became such a sensation thereafter that Santa Rosa had to memorize his own improvised lines for future concerts, and Perdoname became the closing song to his shows.
In 1990, Santa Rosa joined the all star "La Puertoriqueña" project which included Andy Montañez
Andy Montañez
Andrés Montañez , better known as Andy Montañez, is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico.-Early life:Montañez, like singer Daniel Santos and boxer Ossie Ocasio, is a native of the Tras Talleres area of Santurce San Juan. He is known by the nickname "El Godfather de la Salsa"...
; in the same year he was awarded the Billboard Lo Nuestro Award for Best Male Singer. He also participated in the play "La Pareja Dispareja" (The Odd Couple) alongside Luis Vigoreaux
Luis Vigoreaux
Luis Vigoreaux Rivera was a Puerto Rican radio and television show host, announcer, comedian and producer. The son of a sugar worker, Vigoreaux became one of the most popular television entertainers in Puerto Rico's history....
and Rafo Muñiz
Rafo Muñiz
Rafo Muñiz is a Puerto Rican actor, comedian, director and, more notably, producer of television shows and concerts.The son of legendary comic actor and producer Tommy Muñiz and brother of Pedro Muñiz; who is also a producer and actor, Rafo began acting as the young neighbor of M\"Miguel" in ...
. In 1995, Santa Rosa traveled to Japan as Puerto Rico's Good Will Ambassador, where he sang "De Cara al Viento" (Facing the Wind) in Japanese. In 1996, the greatest hits album "Caballero de la Salsa, Vol 2" was released and he also participated in the First "Festival Presidente" in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
(a Latin music festival sponsored by local Presidente beer). In 1997, he sang with Andy Montañez
Andy Montañez
Andrés Montañez , better known as Andy Montañez, is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico.-Early life:Montañez, like singer Daniel Santos and boxer Ossie Ocasio, is a native of the Tras Talleres area of Santurce San Juan. He is known by the nickname "El Godfather de la Salsa"...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
s Lincoln Center and later that year, with Olga Tañon
Olga Tañón
Olga Tañón is a two-time Grammy Award and three-time Latin Grammy-winning Merengue and Latin Pop artist. Tañón has earned 5 Latin Grammy Awards and 19 Premios Lo Nuestro awards during her career.-Early years:...
at the Universal Studios Amphitheater in Hollywood, California.
2000s
Santa Rosa's hits continued with the album "Expresion" which included the single "Fulana" (What's her name) and in 2001 with the album "Romantico". He released "Viceversa" in 2002 which became a "hit" in the Latin community in the United States and in all of Latin-America.Santa Rosa has taken on himself the task of keeping Tito Rodríguez
Tito Rodriguez
Tito Rodríguez was a popular 1950s and 1960s Puerto Rican singer and bandleader. He is known by many fans as "El Inolvidable" , a moniker based on his most popular interpretation, a song written by composer Julio Gutierrez.-Early years:Rodríguez , born in Santurce, Puerto Rico,...
's musical legacy alive and has acquired much of Tito's memorabilia, including articles of clothing, music and furniture from his home in Puerto Rico. Santa Rosa has staged several concerts and dances honoring the late singer, and recorded an album of his where with the use of modern technology, he sings "En la Soledad" (In Solitude), composed by Puchi Balseiro
Puchi Balseiro
Puchi Balseiro, , November 1, 1926 – January 11, 2007 born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was a "feeling" composer.-Early years:...
in a duet with him . During the week of February 24, 2003 Santa Rosa organized a two-night concert at the Center of the Performing Arts in Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
. As an introduction to the event, he arranged for his private collection of Tito Rodríguez memorabilia to be exhibited in the lobby of the center. In 2004, he released "Autentico".
In addition, he has long played an important role in the career of his friend and protege, Víctor Manuelle
Victor Manuelle
Víctor Manuelle, born Víctor Manuel Ruiz on November 4, 1968 in Bronx, New York, is a successful Latin Grammy nominated Puerto Rican American salsa singer, songwriter, and improvisational sonero, known to his fans as El Sonero de la Juventud...
, who Santa Rosa discovered. The two released a joint live album late in 2005, "Dos Soneros, Una Historia." In 2006, he released, "Directo Al Corazon", and in 2007 he carried out a concert acknowledged by the critics, in Plaza Colón
Colón
Colón is a Spanish and Portuguese surname, comparable to the Italian and Portuguese Colombo . It may refer to:People:* Cristóbal Colón, the Spanish language name for the explorer Christopher Columbus...
at Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
and released Contraste with Conteo Regresivo being a major album hit. Furthermore, he performs alongside Chucho Avellanet
Chucho Avellanet
Armando Hipólito Avellanet González , nicknamed "Chucho" is a Puerto Rican singer and comedic actor...
, a musical comedy club-act called, Cantando y Contando, (Singing & Telling Stories), throughout the island.
On February 9, 2008 Santa Rosa participated in an event named "Concierto del amor" which was organized in the Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. In June 2008, "Contraste" received Gold and Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
. According to the organization, the production has sold over 1,500,000 copies. At the moment of certification, the album's first single "Conteo regresive" had been sixteen weeks in the first place among Billboard's tropical list. Meanwhile "No te vayas" began gaining positions in the same list. After participating in New York City's Puerto Rican Day Parade
Puerto Rican Day Parade
The Puerto Rican Day Parade takes place annually along Fifth Avenue in New York City, on the second Sunday in June, in honor of the nearly 4 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and all people of Puerto Rican birth or heritage residing in the mainland U.S...
, Santa Rosa prepared to begin an international tour beginning on June 13, 2008, in New Orleans before proceeding to Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Spain, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and Mexico. The concert in Chile, on June 28, 2008, was Santa Rosa's first ever in said country. the event took place in the Caupolicán Theatre and was attended by approximately 8,000 fans. On July 5, 2008, Santa Rosa became the first salsa singer to perform at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
. The event was a Sold Out, filling the venue with an attendance of 2,000. Santa Rosa was selected to perform at the "Balón de Oro" award ceremony, the most important condecoration in Mexican Football. Santa Rosa was selected to take part in "La Nueva Salsa", where he would perform along several young salsa artists. Santa Rosa has also contributed to improving Puerto Rico's public education system. He participated in Sapientis Week, an initiative sponsored by the non-profit Sapientis
Sapientis
Sapientis is a non-profit organization based in San Juan, Puerto Rico whose mission is to improve the quality of public education as a means to reducing poverty, stimulating economic growth and enhancing the standard of living in Puerto Rico.-Context:...
which brings distinguished public figures into classrooms in order to raise the public's awareness of the education crisis in Puerto Rico. On July 17, 2010, he participated in the opening ceremony of the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games.
Awards and recognition
On September 28, Gilberto Santa Rosa was honored by Union City, New JerseyUnion City, New Jersey
Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the city had a total population of 66,455. All of the city is on land, an area of...
with the key to the city and a star on the Walk of Fame at Union City's Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American salsa singer, and was one of the most successful Salsa performers of the 20th century, having earned twenty-three gold albums...
Park. As of 2010, he holds the record for the most number-one albums on the Billboard Tropical Albums
Tropical Albums
Tropical Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine. Established in June 1985, the chart compiles information about the top-selling albums in genres like salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, and vallenato, which are frequently considered tropical music...
chart.
Discography
- 1986 - Good Vibrations (album)|Good Vibrations
- 1987 - Keeping Cool (album)|Keeping Cool
- 1988 - De Amor Y Salsa
- 1988 - Salsa... En Movimiento
- 1990 - Punto de VistaPunto de Vista (album)Punto de Vista is the fifth studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released on August 10, 1990.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic.-Chart performance:-Certification:...
- 1991 - PerspectivaPerspectiva (album)Perspectiva is the sixth studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released in October 18, 1991.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic.-Chart performance:-Certification:...
- 1992 - A Dos Tiempos de un TiempoA Dos Tiempos de un TiempoA Dos Tiempos de un Tiempo is the seventh studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released on October 16, 1992. It is a tribute album to Tito Rodríguez.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic....
- 1993 - Nace AquíNace AquíNace Aqui is the eighth studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released on August 10, 1990.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic.-Chart performance:-Certification:...
- 1994 - De Cara al VientoDe Cara al VientoDe Cara al Viento is the ninth studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released on November 22, 1994.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic.-Chart performance:-Certification:...
- 1995 - En Vivo Desde El Carnegie HallEn Vivo Desde El Carnegie HallEn Vivo Desde El Carnegie Hall is a live album by the Puerto Rican Salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa, released on October 3, 1995. The Album was recorded live at New York's Carnegie Hall. This performance marks the first time that a Puerto Rican singer of tropical music to perform at Carnegie Hall...
- 1996 - EsenciaEsenciaEsencia is the tenth studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released on November 15, 1996.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic.-Chart performance:-Certification:...
- 1997 - De CorazónDe CorazónDe Corazón is the eleventh studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released on December 9, 1997.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic.-Chart performance:-Certification:...
- 1998 - Salsa Sinfonica en Venezuela
- 1999 - ExpresiónExpresiónExpresión is the twelfth studio album recorded by Puerto Rican salsa singer Gilberto Santa Rosa released on July 6, 1999. The album received a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Salsa Album.-Tracklisting:This information adapted from Allmusic....
- 2000 - Oro salsero
- 2000 - Perdoname...Exitos!
- 2001 - Romántico
- 2001 - Intenso
- 2002 - Viceversa
- 2003 - Sólo Bolero
- 2004 - Auténtico
- 2006 - Directo Al Corazón
- 2007 - Contraste
- 2008 - Una Navidad con GilbertoUna Navidad con GilbertoUna Navidad con Gilberto , is the title of a Christmas album released by Puerto-Rican singer Gilberto Santa Rosa on October 14, 2008 by Sony BMG Norte. It was the first time that Gilberto released his own Christmas album. He previous collaborated with various artists on the Tarjeta de Navidad by...
- 2010 - IrrepetibleIrrepetibleIrrepetible is a studio album by Puerto Rican salsa music Gilberto Santa Rosa released on June 29, 2010. The album reached #1 on the Tropical Albums and the lead single "Vivir Sin Ti" reached #1 on Latin Tropical Airplay-Album information:...