José "Papo" Santiago is a Puerto Rican vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader who has been a major contributor to the Chicago salsa scene for decades. He began his professional music career in Puerto Rico, where he was recruited by the band La Terrífica in the early 1970s to play baritone saxophone. He later relocated to Chicago, establishing himself as a vocalist, flutist, and tenor saxophonist.
In Chicago, Santiago has led his own group, the Infraverde Orquestra, performing a repertoire that blends salsa, merengue, and Latin jazz. He has performed frequently at community and civic events throughout the Chicago area, including programs organized by the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and the city's cultural centers.
Santiago's discography includes the 2011 album "infraverde" and the 2025 album "Palabras," as well as the salsa single "Tu Falso Amor."
