Adalberto Santiago
Encyclopedia
Adalberto Santiago is a world famous salsa
singer.
He was born in barrio Pozas of Ciales, Puerto Rico
. Adalberto's relaxed and flawless lead vocals are amongst the best in salsa, and for over two decades he has sessioned as a coro (chorus) singer on countless New York
recordings. His early influences included the great Cuban vocalists Beny Moré and Miguelito Cuní (b. 8 May 1920, Pinar del Río, Cuba
, d. 5 March 1984, Havana
, Cuba
). Santiago started his professional career singing with trios and playing bass and guitar. After stints with the bands of Chuíto Vélez, Willie Rodríguez
and Willie Rosario
, his career really took off when he joined Ray Barretto 's band. Between 1966-72, Adalberto made seven studio albums with Ray Barretto
. In late 1972, Adalberto and four other members of Barretto's band departed to found Tipica 73
. He appeared on three of their albums before disagreement over musical direction led him, and three other band members, to split during the mid-70s to form Los Kimbos. Meanwhile, Santiago sang lead vocals on two critically acclaimed charanga albums, Fantasia Africana/African Fantasy and Our Heritage - Nuestra Herencia, by flautist, composer and producer Lou Pérez
.
Los Kimbos were reputed to be a tough working band and had a sound reminiscent of both the pre-split Ray Barretto
band and Tipica 73
. With them, Adalberto recorded 1976's Los Kimbos and The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago in 1977. That year he made his solo debut on Adalberto, which was produced by Ray Barretto and contained two of his own compositions. Los Kimbos continued under the leadership of timbales player Orestes Vilató
and released two further albums- Hoy y Mañana (1978) and Aquacero Ne Me Moja (1979). Santiago sang lead on one track on Louie Ramírez y sus Amigos by Louie Ramírez
. In 1979, Adalberto and Ramírez co-produced his solo follow-up, Adalberto Featuring Popeye El Marino. The same year, he reunited with Ray Barretto
on Rican/Struction. Ray produced Adalberto's next solo album, Feliz Me Siento, the following year. Sonora Matancera
member, Javier Vázquez
, produced, arranged, directed and played piano on the rootsy Adalberto Santiago, which was Adalberto's contribution to the early 80s tipico (typical) salsa revival. In 1982, he teamed up with bandleader/bongo player Roberto Roena
for Super Apollo 47:50. Santiago co-produced Calidad with Papo Lucca
, who also played piano, arranged one track and oversaw musical direction. His Cosas Del Alma
was an album of lush boleros which included his third recorded version of the classic "Alma Con Alma" (previously contained on Barretto's The Message and Gracias ). He returned to harder-edged urban salsa in 1985 on Mas Sabroso.
Adalberto did his own mature version of salsa romántica
on the classy Sex Symbol, with production, arrangements, musical direction and piano by the ubiquitous Isidro Infante. In 1990, he again performed 'Alma Con Alma', this time arranged by Infante in a salsa romántica style for Louie Ramírez's second album entitled Louie Ramírez y sus Amigos. Santiago has written songs for a number of the albums on which he has appeared, both as bandleader and solo artist, and provided compositions for other artists to record, such as Joe Cuba
. Adalberto has remained true to his Latin roots and a statement he made in 1977 is still relevant in the 90s: "I want to bring a truly Latin message to the people; this is what I do best and the structure of Latin music is best suited to my singing style".
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...
singer.
He was born in barrio Pozas of Ciales, Puerto Rico
Ciales, Puerto Rico
Ciales is a municipality of Puerto Rico, located on the Central Mountain Range, northwest of Orocovis; south of Florida and Manatí; east of Utuado and Jayuya; and west of Morovis. Ciales is spread over eight wards and Ciales Pueblo...
. Adalberto's relaxed and flawless lead vocals are amongst the best in salsa, and for over two decades he has sessioned as a coro (chorus) singer on countless 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...
recordings. His early influences included the great Cuban vocalists Beny Moré and Miguelito Cuní (b. 8 May 1920, Pinar del Río, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, d. 5 March 1984, Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
). Santiago started his professional career singing with trios and playing bass and guitar. After stints with the bands of Chuíto Vélez, Willie Rodríguez
Willie Rodriguez
William Vicente Rodriguez is a former West Indian cricketer who played in five Tests from 1962 to 1968....
and 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...
, his career really took off when he joined Ray Barretto 's band. Between 1966-72, Adalberto made seven studio albums with Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto was a Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican jazz musician.-Early years:Barretto was born in New York City of Puerto Rican descent...
. In late 1972, Adalberto and four other members of Barretto's band departed to found Tipica 73
Tipica 73
Tipica 73 was a popular New York salsa band in the 1970s and early 1980s, formed with a number of musicians from Ray Barretto's band.Tipica 73's music was notable for its experimental style, and was the first US-based salsa orchestra to record in Cuba with the album Tipicá 73 En Cuba Intercambio...
. He appeared on three of their albums before disagreement over musical direction led him, and three other band members, to split during the mid-70s to form Los Kimbos. Meanwhile, Santiago sang lead vocals on two critically acclaimed charanga albums, Fantasia Africana/African Fantasy and Our Heritage - Nuestra Herencia, by flautist, composer and producer Lou Pérez
Lou Perez
Lou Perez is an American professional wrestler who has competed in North American promotions including the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling during the late 1980s and early 1990s as well as the Puerto Rican-based promotion IWA Puerto Rico.Although billed as the younger...
.
Los Kimbos were reputed to be a tough working band and had a sound reminiscent of both the pre-split Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto was a Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican jazz musician.-Early years:Barretto was born in New York City of Puerto Rican descent...
band and Tipica 73
Tipica 73
Tipica 73 was a popular New York salsa band in the 1970s and early 1980s, formed with a number of musicians from Ray Barretto's band.Tipica 73's music was notable for its experimental style, and was the first US-based salsa orchestra to record in Cuba with the album Tipicá 73 En Cuba Intercambio...
. With them, Adalberto recorded 1976's Los Kimbos and The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago in 1977. That year he made his solo debut on Adalberto, which was produced by Ray Barretto and contained two of his own compositions. Los Kimbos continued under the leadership of timbales player Orestes Vilató
Orestes Vilató
Orestes Vilató is a Timbalero/Bongosero.He went to New York City at the age of 12, after his father was recruited to be in charge of international flights inaugurated by Cubana de Aviación...
and released two further albums- Hoy y Mañana (1978) and Aquacero Ne Me Moja (1979). Santiago sang lead on one track on Louie Ramírez y sus Amigos by Louie Ramírez
Louie Ramirez
Louie Ramirez was a boogaloo, salsa and latin jazz percussionist, vibraphonist, band leader and composer. He was born on February 24, 1938 in New York City. He died on June 7, 1993...
. In 1979, Adalberto and Ramírez co-produced his solo follow-up, Adalberto Featuring Popeye El Marino. The same year, he reunited with Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto
Ray Barretto was a Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican jazz musician.-Early years:Barretto was born in New York City of Puerto Rican descent...
on Rican/Struction. Ray produced Adalberto's next solo album, Feliz Me Siento, the following year. Sonora Matancera
Sonora Matancera
La Sonora Matancera is a long-time band. Led by guitarist and vocalist Rogelio Martínez, La Sonora Matancera has been called, by the Guinness Book of World Records, "the group with the longest duration."...
member, Javier Vázquez
Javier Vázquez
Javier Carlos Vázquez is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Previously, he pitched for the Florida Marlins , Atlanta Braves , Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos . Vázquez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico...
, produced, arranged, directed and played piano on the rootsy Adalberto Santiago, which was Adalberto's contribution to the early 80s tipico (typical) salsa revival. In 1982, he teamed up with bandleader/bongo player Roberto Roena
Roberto Roena
Roberto Roena is a salsa music percussionist, orchestra leader, and dancer. Roena was one of the original members of El Gran Combo Puerto Rican's first successful salsa music orchestra. He later became the leader of his own band, "Roberto Roena y Su Apollo Sound", arguably one of the best Latin...
for Super Apollo 47:50. Santiago co-produced Calidad with Papo Lucca
Papo Lucca
Enrique Arsenio Lucca Quiñonez, better known as Papo Lucca, born on April 10, 1946, Ponce, Puerto Rico.Papo Lucca is a famous Puerto Rican multi-instrumentalist , but is best known as a pianist. Main musical genre focus are Salsa and Latin Jazz...
, who also played piano, arranged one track and oversaw musical direction. His Cosas Del Alma
Cosas Del Alma
Cosas del Alma is a Compact Disc studio album recorded in 1984, and re-issued in 2002.-Review:For decades, Adalberto Santiago has been an icon of salsa music. One of the most versatile and lush puerto rican singers, Santiago plays now romantic Boleros arranged by a group of renowned musicians as...
was an album of lush boleros which included his third recorded version of the classic "Alma Con Alma" (previously contained on Barretto's The Message and Gracias ). He returned to harder-edged urban salsa in 1985 on Mas Sabroso.
Adalberto did his own mature version of salsa romántica
Salsa romantica
Salsa Romántica, also known as Salsa Erotica, is a soft form of salsa music that emerged between the mid 1980s and early 1990s in New York City and Puerto Rico...
on the classy Sex Symbol, with production, arrangements, musical direction and piano by the ubiquitous Isidro Infante. In 1990, he again performed 'Alma Con Alma', this time arranged by Infante in a salsa romántica style for Louie Ramírez's second album entitled Louie Ramírez y sus Amigos. Santiago has written songs for a number of the albums on which he has appeared, both as bandleader and solo artist, and provided compositions for other artists to record, such as Joe Cuba
Joe Cuba
Joe "Sonny" Cuba was a Puerto Rican musician who was considered to be the "Father of Latin Boogaloo".-Early years:...
. Adalberto has remained true to his Latin roots and a statement he made in 1977 is still relevant in the 90s: "I want to bring a truly Latin message to the people; this is what I do best and the structure of Latin music is best suited to my singing style".
Solo
- Adalberto. Fania; 1977
- Adalberto Santiago Featuring Popeye El Marino. Fania Records JM 536; 1979
- Feliz Me Siento Feliz. 1980
- Adalberto Santiago. 1981
- Calidad. 1982
- Cosas del AlmaCosas Del AlmaCosas del Alma is a Compact Disc studio album recorded in 1984, and re-issued in 2002.-Review:For decades, Adalberto Santiago has been an icon of salsa music. One of the most versatile and lush puerto rican singers, Santiago plays now romantic Boleros arranged by a group of renowned musicians as...
. WSCD 4163, 1984 - Sex Symbol. Mayor 001; 1989.
- Hay Algo en Ella. JV Music 001; 1991.
- Firme
- Más Sabroso. Budda Records 011; 1985.
With Ray Barretto
- Ray Barretto. Latino Con Soul. WS Latino 4053; 1966.
- Ray Barretto. Acid. Fania Records LP 346; 1967.
- Ray Barretto. Hard Hands. Fania Records LP 362; 1968.
- Ray Barretto. Together. Fania Records LP 378; 1969.
- Ray Barretto. Barretto Power. Fania Records 391; 1970.
- Ray Barretto. The Message. Fania Records SLP 403; 1971.
- Ray Barretto. Que Viva La Música. Fania Records 427; 1972.
- Ray Barretto. Barretto Live In New York: Tomorrow. Messidor 15950; 1976.
- Ray Barreto. Gracias. Fania Records JM 528; 1979.
- Ray Barretto. Rican/Struction. Fania Records JM 552; 1979.
- Celia Cruz, Adalberto Santiago, Ray Barreto: Tremendo Trio!. Fania Records 623; 1983.
With Típica 73
- Típica 73. Típica 73. Inca Records SLP 1031; 1973.
- Típica 73. La Candela. Inca Records SLP 1043; 1975.
With Los Kimbos
- Los Kimbos Con Adalberto Santiago. Cotique CS 1083; 1976.
- The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago. Cotique CS 1091; 1977.
With Fania All Stars
- Fania All Stars. Our Latin Thing (2 LPs). Fania Records SLP 431; 1972.
- Fania All Stars. Fania All Stars Live At The Cheetah (Vol. 1 y 2). Fania Records SLP 00415 y SLP 00416; 1974.
- Fania All Stars. Habana Jam. Fania Records FA 116; 1979.
- Fania All Stars. Commitment. Fania Records 564; 1980.
- Fania All Stars. Social Change. Fania 594; 1981.
- Fania All Stars. Lo Que Pide la Gente. Fania Records JM 629; 1984.
- Fania All Stars. Live In Puerto Rico, June 1994. Fania Records 684; 1995.
- Fania All Stars. Viva Colombia: En Concierto (2 CD). Latina 225; 1997.
- Fania All Stars. Bravo. Sony 82351; 1997.
Contributions
- Louie Ramírez. Louie Ramírez Y Sus Amigos Cotique 1096; 1978
- Louie Ramírez. Salsero. Cotique 1104; 1980.
- Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound. Super Apollo 47:50. Fania LP 609; 1982
- Adalberto Santiago & Papo Lucca. Calidad. Fania Records 611; 1982.