Gilberto Santa Rosa

Early years

Santa Rosa was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. 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 Lopez who helped to mold and polish him as a singer.

Singing career

During the 1980s, he recorded Homenaje a Eddie Palmieri (Tribute to Eddie Palmieri)) with the Puerto Rican All Stars. He also recorded with various orchestras, amongst them the Tommy Olivencia Orchestra, and the Willie Rosario orchestra. 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 Vibrations", "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 City, 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 Puertorriqueña" 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 Spanish for Japanese audience and the record label company translated all the songs 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 Citys Lincoln Center and later that year, with Olga Tañón at the Universal Studios Amphitheater in Hollywood, California.

2000s-present

Santa Rosa's hits continued with the album Expresión, which included the single "Fulana" (What's her name) and in 2001 with the album Romántico. 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'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 "Auténtico".

In addition, he has long played an important role in the career of his friend and protégé, 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 corazón, 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.

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 honor 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.

In 2017, Santa Rosa had the opportunity to contribute to Lin-Manuel Miranda's single "Almost Like Praying". The song featured various Latin artists and all proceeds benefit the Hispanic Federation's Hurricane Relief Fund, helping those affected by the hurricane that hit Puerto Rico.

In November 8, 2019, Gilberto Santa Rosa was the featured singer on Norberto Vélez's YouTube channel titled "Sesiones Desde La Loma Ep. 2".

In July 25, 2025, Gilberto Santa Rosa performed alongside Bad Bunny for his No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí concert residency, performing "Baile Inolvidable" and "La Agarro Bajando".

Film

In 2012, Santa Rosa plays the father in a comedy, La nena se casa... en Navidad (en), about a father (and family's) mishaps in the midst of his daughters wedding event.

Awards and recognition

In 2002, Gilberto Santa Rosa was presented with the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award. In the same year, he was presented with a special award at the 2002 Lo Nuestro Awards. On September 28, 2008, Santa Rosa was honored by Union City, New Jersey with the key to the city and a star on the Walk of Fame at Union City's Celia Cruz Park. Santa Rosa presented with the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. As of 2010, he holds the record for the most number-one albums on the Billboard Tropical Albums chart.

Personal life

Gilberto Santa Rosa is married to Alexandra Malagón.

Discography

• 1986 - Good Vibrations
• 1987 - Keeping Cool!
• 1988 - De amor y salsa
• 1989 - Salsa en... movimiento
• 1990 - Punto de vista
• 1991 - Perspectiva
• 1992 - A dos tiempos de un tiempo
• 1993 - Nace aquí
• 1994 - De cara al viento
• 1995 - En vivo desde el Carnegie Hall
• 1996 - Esencia
• 1997 - De corazón
• 1998 - Salsa Sinfónica en Venezuela
• 1999 - Expresión
• 2000 - Romántico
• 2001 - Intenso
• 2002 - Viceversa
• 2003 - Sólo bolero
• 2004 - Auténtico
• 2006 - Directo al corazón
• 2007 - Contraste
• 2008 - Una Navidad con Gilberto
• 2010 - Irrepetible
• 2012 - Gilberto Santa Rosa
• 2014 - Necesito un bolero
• 2018 - En buena compañía
• 2019 - 40... Y Contando (En Vivo desde Puerto Rico)
• 2020 - Colegas
• 2022 - Debut y Segunda Tanda

Notes

References

References

1. "Gilberto Santa Rosa Biography, Songs, & Albums".
2. (April 2, 2012). "Jazz news: Gilberto Santa Rosa At Lehman Center For The Performing Arts".
3. "Kimmel Center's Philly ¡En Vivo! Series to Wecome Gilberto Santa Rosa, 6/19".
4. Romero, Angel. (November 10, 2019). "Artist Profiles: Gilberto Santa Rosa".
5. "Latin Music".
6. "Artists - Santa Rosa, Gilberto - Music of Puerto Rico".
7. "Latin News".
8. "Gilberto Santa Rosa - Salsa - Latin - Music - www.real.com".
9. "Un joven veterano transformado en embajador, Victor Manuelle - cantante de salsa de Nueva York - TT: A young veteran turned ambassador Victor Manuelle - TA: Salsa music singer from New York - Artículo Breve | Latin Beat Magazine | Find Articles at BNET".
10. Frances Tirado. (January 25, 2008). "Don Omar y Gilberto Santa Rosa juntos en concierto del amor". Primera Hora.
11. (June 11, 2008). "Gilbertito vende más oro y platino en Estados Unidos". Primera Hora.
12. (July 1, 2008). "Enamora a Chile en su primera cita". Primera Hora.
13. (July 4, 2008). "Gilbertito Santa Rosa comienza gira por España". Primera Hora.
14. (July 7, 2008). "Pone a salsear a los catalanes". Primera Hora.
15. (July 21, 2008). "Imparable Gilberto Santa Rosa". Primera Hora.
16. Rosalina Marrero-Rodríguez. (October 6, 2008). "Sabroso abrazo a los que van subiendo". Primera Hora.
17. Villafañe, Veronica. "Lin-Manuel Miranda Releases Star-Studded 'Almost Like Praying' Song For Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief". Forbes.
18. (November 8, 2019). "SESIONES DESDE LA LOMA EP.2 - Gilberto Santa Rosa".
19. "Watch Bad Bunny Bring Out Young Miko and Gilberto Santa Rosa During Puerto Rico Show".
20. (October 31, 2012). "Gilberto Santa Rosa protagoniza película "La nena se casa… en Navidad"".
21. "ASCAP Latin Heritage Award". ASCAP.
22. (December 28, 2001 }}{{Dead link). "Univision's 14th ' Premio Lo Nuestro 2002'.".
23. Staab, Amanda. "UC first stop for Latin Grammies" ''[[The Union City Reporter]]''; October 5, 2008; Pages 1 & 21
24. (June 24, 2021). "The Latin Recording Academy® to Honor Martinho da Vila, Emmanuel, Sheila E. & Pete Escovedo, Fito Páez, Milly Quezada, Joaquín Sabina and Gilberto Santa Rosa With the Lifetime Achievement Award".
25. "Exhibición de esculturas de hielo alegra el corazón de familia hispana".
26. (June 14, 2013). "Conceden nacionalidad dominicana a Gilberto Santa Rosa; presidente Medina lo recibe en su despacho".