Papo Santiago

About

Papo Santiago has been a driving force in the Chicago salsa scene for decades, both as an instrumentalist and as a world-class sonero. Santiago started his musical journey in his native Puerto Rico, where he was recruited by La Terrífica in the early 1970s to play baritone saxophone. The band's international acclaim paved the way for Santiago's incursion into the world of salsa. In the 80s Santiago moved to Chicago, where he carved a niche for himself and mastered the flute, guitar, and his own vocal improvisational skills. In his improvisations, Santiago combines a street-wise sense of humor with a unique approach to rhythm and swing. Santiago is also the founder and leader of Infraverde, considered by Timba.com “as one of the more polished and progressive Salsa ensembles in Chicago in recent years.”