Papo Quintero

    Papo Quintero

 

Much has been said over the years about Chicago talent. To some Chicago is a town where you can test the waters to see if you have what it takes to make it in the music world. Many have started out in Chicago and moved on to fame and great careers. Others for whatever reason have chosen to stay. Sometimes we don’t know what we have until we lose it. During the 1970s and 1980s in Chicago we had the pleasure of being entertained by a multi-talented singer/ percussionist. His real name was Jorge Quintero but everyone knew him as “Papo” Quintero. Papo Quintero was probably the most talented vocalist in the Chicago salsa scene during that time. Papo had the rare ability to improvise on just about any subject in his “soneos” in a manner that stands up with any of the best Soneros today. Papo was also an accomplished percussionist. He had an appeal that drew you in. I recall a young lady telling me that she never met anyone like him who had the ability to talk the pants off of any girl with his natural wit and charm. For those who don’t know, Papo Quintero was the lead vocalist for Chicago’s La Confidencia Orchestra. Papo was with the band for many years before venturing out on his own singing with many other local Chicago salsa bands. Had he moved on to New York or Puerto Rico, his career would have no doubt taken off. Unfortunately, Papo Quintero left us too soon when he met the same fate that many like Hector Lavoe did. For those of us that remember him lets keep him in our thoughts. For those that didn’t know him you will have to wait until you move on to the afterlife where you will no doubt hear him singing to one of the largest audiences in the sky.