Gilberto Santa Rosa is one of the most successful vocalists in Puerto Rico. His albums have all achieved platinum status in Puerto Rico and Latin America and the Hispanic communities of the United States. Known as a master of "soneo," an improvisational vocal technique, Santa Rosa has recorded such Salsa hits as "Muneca" and "Cantante De Cartel." His song, "Perdoname," has become a popular Salsa anthem. Santa Rosa has increasingly reached out to audiences outside of Latin America. In 1995, he became the first Puerto Rican singer of tropical music to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall. His album, Salsa Sinfonica, was the first salsa recording with a symphony orchestra -- the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra.

Studying music from the age of 12, Santa Rosa performed his first professional concert, with the help of his teacher, Mario Ortiz, two years later. Following a two-year stint as lead vocalist of an orchestra, LaGrande, during which time he was taken under the wing of trumpet player Elias Lopes, he joined the Puerto Rico All Stars to record a tribute to the music of Eddie Palmieri, Homanje De Eddie Palmieri, in 1979. The same year, he spent several months with Tommy Olivencia & His Orchestra. A turning point in Santa Rosa's career came in 1980, when he accepted an invitation to join the band led by timbale player Willie Rosario. During the six years that he remained with the group, he was featured on such albums as Portrait of a Salsa Man, The Salsa Machine, and Nueva Cosecha.