Gilberto santa rosa biography sampler

Gilberto santa rosa

Santa Rosa was born in SanturcePuerto Rico. He took part in his first concert while a teenager and inhe 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. He also recorded with various orchestras, amongst them the Tommy Olivencia Orchestra, and the Willie Rosario orchestra.

Gilberto santa rosa biography sampler

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. Santa Rosa was also the first singer of tropical salsa to carry out a concert at the Carnegie Hall Theaterin New York Citywhere he performed as the opening number, his unique version of the salsa tune, "Represento" I Representcomposed by Lou Briel.

This event was recorded live at the hall, and later released as an album. 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.