Gilberto Santa Rosa brings ‘Camínalo’ tour to NYC

Gilberto Santa Rosa is celebrating a big birthday in a big way.

On Sunday, the Grammy Award-winning salsa giant brings his latest tour—Camínalo (“Walk It”)—to the Beacon Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on August 21.

The tour – which kicked off in Puerto Rico in June 2021 before traveling to sold-out houses in a number of Latin American countries and other US cities – marks the popular singer’s return to a New York City stage in one very special – his 60th birthday.

Not a bad way to celebrate the date, according to the native and current resident of Puerto Rico, who has been known in the Latin music universe as “El Caballero de la Salsa” (The Lord of Salsa) for more than three decades.

[”It’s] very, very special,” Santa Rosa told Viva. “Because when you go to New York to perform, it’s like going to see family. You carry some history,” he added, referring to the culture and history of his diverse fan base in Latin America and Puerto Rico.

“We have a very good crowd [in New York City], but they see you as family, not as a star. They come to see someone from our land,” added the record performer.

Still, it’s hard to imagine not seeing Santa Rosa as the star.

Hailed as one of the pioneers of salsa romantica, Santa Rosa has recorded 30 albums since his solo debut, Good Vibrations, in 1986. Less than 10 years later, in March 1995, he became the first Puerto Rican singer to tropical music that performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

In 2002 his work was recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) with its prestigious Latino Heritage Award, an honor given to songwriters and composers who have made unique and lasting contributions to music.

In 2012, another institution – the United Nations – also recognized the extent of his contributions, honoring Santa Rosa with a Culture of Life Achievement Award for “using music as an instrument to promote culture for development throughout the world “.

Santa Rosa is also the winner of a Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album for his critically acclaimed 2006 album “Directo Al Corazón” (“Straight to the Heart”), as well as six Latin Grammys – including an award for lifetime achievement he received in 2021.

With multiple gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Santa Rosa is currently tied with Puerto Rican salsero Víctor Manuelle for the most albums (12) on Billboard’s Tropical Albums charts.

But despite the impressive resume, the prolific musician promises an intimate and interactive show, where fans will hear some of his biggest hits – such as “Conteo Regresivo” (“Countdown”), “Perdóname” (“Sorry” ) and ” Que Alguien Me Diga” (“Someone Tell Me”)—as well as songs from his upcoming album, “Debut y Segunda Tanda” (“Debut and Round Two.”)

The album, which will be released in September, will contain “a mix of new songs and crossovers” and its release is especially exciting for Santa Rosa because it was conceived during the months of the COVID-19 lockdown, which “I have spent recording, making music,” he told Viva.

The Big Apple stop of Santa Rosa’s “Camínalo” tour, which had to be postponed – twice – due to the pandemic, is designed to give his legions of fans plenty of opportunities to sing and dance while also recognized the importance of being together once. again.

“We want people to feel our energy and our love for our work because it’s going [to be all about] love and good vibes,” Santa Rosa said, speaking of the band members — 11 musicians and three background singers, almost all from Puerto Rico — who have been touring with him since June 2021.

There is also a trombonist, saxophone, a keyboard, a piano, as well as several people playing Latin percussion, which the birthday boy proudly called “the heart of our music.”