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Adalberto Santiago

Adalberto Santiago’s screen work is only one part of a career shaped primarily by salsa. Born April 23, 1937, in the Pozas barrio of Ciales, Puerto Rico, Santiago began professionally with trios, singing while playing guitar and bass. Influenced by Cuban vocalists Beny Moré and Miguelito Cuní, he developed the relaxed lead style that would carry him through more than seven decades of music. After performing with the bands of Chuíto Vélez, Willie Rosario and Willie Rodriguez, Santiago joined Ray Barretto’s band. Between 1966 and 1972, he appeared on eight studio albums with Barretto, including recordings featuring “Quitate La Mascara” and “Alma Con Alma.” He was also an original founding member of the Fania All-Stars. Santiago later helped form Típica 73 and Los Kimbos, then made his solo debut with Adalberto in 1977. His career kept moving between collaborations and solo records, from boleros on Cosas Del Alma to salsa dura on Más Sabroso and salsa romántica on Sex Symbol. The latter produced one of his biggest solo songs, “La Noche Mas Linda Del Mundo.” He has also written songs for his own recordings and for other artists. For movie audiences, Santiago appeared in Moscow on the Hudson and as himself in Our Latin Thing and the documentary Summer of Soul. His music was also featured in Carlito’s Way, giving his voice and musical identity another route onto the screen. With a discography of more than 100 recordings, Santiago has continued to record and perform in the United States, Europe and South America. Even a 2022 collaboration with rappers Jon Z and Ñengo Flow showed a musician still willing to carry his sound into a different setting rather than simply live off the past.