Papo Santiago started his musical journey in Ponce, the birthplace of some of the most celebrated musicians in Latin music history, including Pete "El Conde" Rodr?guez, H?ctor Lavoe, and Papo Lucca. Santiago pursued a degree in music at Universidad Interamericana, San Germ?n, Puerto Rico. Before completing his studies, he was recruited to play baritone sax with La Terr?fica by its bandleader Joe Rodr?guez. La Terr?fica spun off from La Sonora Ponce?a in the early 70's and paved the way for Santiago's incursion into the world of salsa. The band's international acclaim took Santiago to the demanding salsa public of Venezuela, Colombia, Per?, and New York among others.

Along the way, Papo Santiago has demonstrated an uncanny ability to take on new challenges, and become a bona fide bandleader. After mastering the saxophone and all its variants, he honed the craft of flute playing with Banda Municipal de Ponce in 1985. Santiago moved to the city of Chicago in the late 1980's where he found himself having to carve a niche in the city's music circles.

After forging his musical reputation, he became a sought after musician, sharing the stage with the upper brass of Afro- Caribbean music, including Fania All-Stars, La Sonora Ponce?a, Ismael Miranda, Marvin Santiago, Pete "El Conde" Rodr?guez, Carlos "Cano" Estremera, Henry Fiol, Lalo Rodr?guez, Eddie Santiago, and Nino Segarra.

Santiago went on to join the experimental jazz ensemble Kalinda. The group's first recording ?Kalinda Kaliente! was named in 1997 by the Chicago Tribune as one of the year's ten best in the jazz category.

Santiago's exploration as a professional singer was a natural step in his evolution as a fully rounded musician. His sonero attributes are founded in the legacies of Ismael Rivera, Luigi Texidor, Marvin Santiago, Isaac Delgado, and "El Tibur?n" Morales. In his improvisations, he combines a street-wise sense of humor with a unique approach to rhythm and swing. Santiago stands as an icon of the harmonious fusion of classic influences with the most innovative trends in tropical music.

In 2004 Santiago made his debut as a bandleader in Chicago's 1st Tribute to the Improvisational Singer, where he shared equal billing with Richard Martinez, lead singer of the Grammy-nominated Truco y Zaperoko. Santiago's newest project Infraverde is the culmination of a life dedicated to the integrity of progressive musicianship and the preservation of the sonero tradition.