Gilberto Santa Rosas' Album Touches 'Directo al Corazon'  
Gilberto Santa Rosa, the "Caballero De la Salsa" gave a one night exclusive performance at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury on February 9th. He delighted the crowd with his voice, his presence and his ability to interpret both ballads and romantic Salsa as a true authentic ‘sonero’. Gilberto sang hits like "Que Alguien Me Diga", "Sombra Loca" and "Los Hombres Tienen La Culpa". The audience was treated to songs from his latest production, Directo Al Corazón, which won the Latin Grammy for Mejor Album de Salsa and recently won the Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Album; making Gilberto the second Puerto Rican artist to win both awards for the same album. This album and his concert demonstrated how romantic and dance music can co-exist. The show celebrated love and his legendary career, which at one point he jokingly said, "I am the only singer in the world who is celebrating 30 years of career and is only 27 years old". I had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with the great ‘sonero’, before this tremendous show. ¿Why is it important for you to record both ballads and tropical rhythms? Basically this is my foundation as a singer. Since I was little I was a romantic singer and later on, I started singing Salsa. Remember that all the great Salsa singers at one point or another have recorded ballads. This was my biggest inspiration to continue on this path. I feel comfortable singing both, because the styles are related. The danceable Salsa beats have always been a part of the romantic ballads. Singing straight Salsa, however, gives you the opportunity to improvise more, which is what I enjoy. ¿How do the songs on this album represent where you are at this point in your life? They represent several phases of my life perfectly. Although they are not my personal experiences, they are samples of my maturity as an artist and as a person. It is a sampling of the evolution that I have had in these two phases of my life. There is a ballad included "Cuando Te Encuentre", which I wish had more of an opportunity to be played on the radio. The first single was "Locura De Amor", which is a favorite of mine. Another song on the album that is a very special is "Isla Del Encanto", because the song is about Puerto Rico. It is the first time that I have sung something special from my country. ¿How do you feel that this album won you, your first Latin Grammy? Very excited and after many intents, I was happy that the people that worked so hard on this project were also recognized. There were a lot of talented people involved in this project that made it special. Besides for all the musicians, there were behind the scenes people like the graphic artists. All of them deserve this applause and recognition and a part of this award is for them. ¿When you were growing up what inspired you to become a singer? When I was a boy in Puerto Rico, television was very musical, and I had access to it. There I saw 'El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico' and I loved them. When I saw them, I knew that is was what I wanted to do. They have been my greatest source of inspiration. ¿Who else have you admired in your profession as a singer? I admire Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montañez and from the new generation Víctor Manuelle and Marc Anthony. Also, the younger generation with groups like NG2 and N’Klabe, who are receiving a lot of airplay. I am a type of person who knows I did not invent music, so it is these musicians who I admire and from those who I learn. ¿Now that you are celebrating 30 years in Latin music, Can you choose your three most memorable moments? My first was when I really decided that I was going to be singing as a profession. It changed my life; it was when I left high school for college. My second was when I took the step to become a solo artist, because I started in 1976 as an orchestra singer. But in 1986, I decided to become a soloist. Third, with all honesty, was when I sang at Carnegie Hall in New York, for the recording of an album, perhaps the most important of my career. ¿What will your next album be like and when do you anticipate it being released? My next project will have two phases; it will be danceable and also romantic. But we can talk more about that project when it comes out. I believe that it will be released in the summer. We have been working on the song selection, and I will start recording the album at end of March. ¿What is it that you would wish to leave behind as your legacy in the world of music? My biggest wish would be for future generations to build upon my work, as I have paid attention to the work of others. Through the seriousness and honesty of my music, if I can inspire other people and wake up their admiration, mission completed! by David LaPointe, Identidad Latina Para leer este articulo en Espanol, favor de referirse a Identidad Latina- El Periodico de Hartford, CT
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