Jose
"Papo" Santiago y su Orquesta Infraverde
Papo Santiago started
his musical journey in Ponce, the birthplace of
some of the most celebrated musicians in Latin music
history, including Pete "El Conde" Rodr’guez,
Hector Lavoe, and Papo Lucca. Santiago pursued a
degree in music at Universidad Interamericana, San
German, Puerto Rico. Before completing his studies,
he was recruited to play baritone sax with La Terrifica
by its bandleader Joe Rodr’guez. La Terrifica spun
off from La Sonora Poncena in the early 70's and
paved the way for Santiago's incursion into the
world of salsa. The band's international acclaim
took Santiago to the demanding salsa public of Venezuela,
Colombia, Perœ, and New York among others. After
forging his musical reputation, he became a sought
after musician, sharing the stage with the upper
brass of Afro-Caribbean music, including Fania All-Stars,
La Sonora Poncena, Ismael Miranda, Marvin Santiago,
Pete "El Conde" Rodr’guez, Carlos "Cano"
Estremera, Henry Fiol, Lalo Rodriguez, Eddie Santiago,
and Nino Segarra.
Along the way, Papo
Santiago has demonstrated an uncanny ability to
take on new challenges, and become a bona fide bandleader.
After mastering the saxophone and all its variants,
he honed the craft of flute playing with Banda Municipal
de Ponce in 1985. Santiago moved to the city of
Chicago in the late-1980's where he found himself
having to carve a niche in the city's music circles.
It didn't take long for his talents to be recognized
by the top tier of local musicians, including Orquesta
Yambu, Ases del Merengue, Joe Rendon and Friends,
La Tira, and Cuatr’simo. Cuban flutist Jose Fajardo
dubbed him "the child prodigy" after discovering
his skills on the instrument while touring the Windy
City. Santiago went on to join the experimental
jazz ensemble Kalinda. The group's first recording
- Kalinda Kaliente - was named in 1997 by the Chicago
Tribune as one of the year's ten best in the jazz
category.
Santiago's exploration
as a professional singer was a natural step in his
evolution as a fully rounded musician. His sonero
attributes are founded in the legacies of Ismael
Rivera, Luigi Texidor, Marvin Santiago, Isaac Delgado,
and "El Tiburon" Morales. In his improvisations,
he combines a street-wise sense of humor with a
unique approach to rhythm and swing. Santiago stands
as an icon of the harmonious fusion of classic influences
with the most innovative trends in tropical music.
Last February 21, Santiago
made his debut as a bandleader in Chicago's 1st
Tribute to the Improvisational Singer, where he
shared equal billing with Richard Martinez, lead
singer of the Grammy-nominated Truco y Zaperoko.
Santiago's newest project Infraverde is the culmination
of a life dedicated to the integrity of progressive
musicianship and the preservation of the sonero
tradition.
Bio by: "By Omar Torres
and Abner Bardeguez"
