EL GRAN COMBO !
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"THE
UNIVERSITY OF SALSA" In May of 1962, Mr. Ratel Ithier, along with other musicians, decided to leave the group he had been playing with and which was considered to be one of the best in its genre, El Combo de Rafael cortijo. According to many, it was a risky decision but RatlaeL Ithier was convinced that his new project would be a succestul one. His objective was to form a new band that could become succesf-ul oil an international level. And thus, EL GRAN COMBO DE PUERTO a true salsa legend, was born. In the field of Afro-Caribbean music, there are very few cases where a band has survived for more than three decades with its own musical identity remaining unaltered by modern tendencies, and at the same time recording new albums while constantly touring the American continent. EL GRAN COMBO is one of those exceptions. Having recorded more than 50 LPs over thirty-three years, EL GRAN COMBO (EGC) is certainly the best example of success and consistency (or constancy) in the realm of Latin Tropical music. over the years, the band lead by Rafael Ithier, born in Rio Piedras (Puerto Rico) on the 29th of August of 1926, was nicknamed <<El Gran Combo del Murdo>>, <<Los Mulatos del Sabor>> and <<Los Embajadores Musicales de Puerto Rico>>. ' In themselves, these titles describe adequatly the large impact and the importance of EGC in the realm of Tropical music from the Caribbean. MUSICAL IDENTITY The group of 13 musicians directed by pianist Rafael Ithier distinguinshies itself in three ways: by its unique and constant musical identity, by the stability and harmony prevailing between group members and finally, by a busy tour schedule inside and outside their native island, Puerto Rico. The music EL GRAN COMBO makes is simple (without falling into simplicity), brilliant and of course, extremely groovy. The lyrics describe a variety of situations that happen in the daily lives of everyone, often comical, and which take place in cormnon sites or settings. It's the kind of music the people can easely relate to EGC also maintained over their thirty-five years of career, a sound that is unique to the group and which has not been substantially altered by modern technologies or musical trends. Little by little, since May 1962, EL GRAN COMBO has managed to gain the admiration of those they were trying to seduce, the street people, those who deeply feel Salsa music, with hit songs that have become major classics over the years, such as: <<Un Verano en Nueva York>>, <<Jala Jala>>, <<La Calle Dolor>>, <<Acangana>>, <<La Salsa de Hoy>>, <<Milonga Sentimental>>, and many others. All this combined with their originality, their jokes, their sense of humor and their magnificient choreographies, allowed EL GRAN COMBO to seduce the hearts of people all over Latin America and the United States. Rafael Ithier is a self-taught musician. He learned the basics of piano by himself. In that sense, he admits to be a nindividual with a talent that allowed him to gain success without having a previous academical knowledge of his instrument. Musical director, pianist and arranger of most of EGC's compositions, he sometimes turns to other reknowned musicians to arrange some songs, which end up to sound at the same time different and in continuity with the specific sound of El Gran Cornbo. The most important evolution in EGC's sound happened in 1972. when Ithier decided, after a few tests, to add a trombon to his horn section, which was at the time limited to two saxophones and two trumpets. It is imperative to mention that the trombon, during the 70's, was gaining more popularity with the advent of urban salsa made in New York, in particular with the music ot Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colon. This widespread use of the trombon has certainly contributed to the public's acceptance of the change brought about by that instrument in the music of EL GRAN COMBO.
Other than their compatriots in Puerto Rico, EL GRAN COMBO has many millions of fans living outside the island, in large hispanic centres all over Latin America, the United States and Europe, many places that constantly demand the visit of <<EL GRAN COMBO DEL MUNDO>>. Moreover, the band has won many prizes and receive,@, numerous honours and distinction in countries of the Old and New Continents. Just as it happens with all bands, EGC had to go through, at one point in their career, a difficult period because their record sales went down and the band's popularity was stagnating. EL GRAN COMBO decided to leave in search of new horizons and started touring all major cities of Latin America and the United States. As a result of this voluntary exile by one of the best group of PuertoRico, the inhabitants of the island started to miss the band arid demanded their return to their native land. Returning to the island after being absent for a long period of time, EL GRAN COMBO recorded new songs topped the charts in their country and allowed them to become the number one band once again. In
1992, the music industry paid tribute to this legendary orchestra
during the 1992 edition of the famous FESTIVAL DE LA SALSA DE NUEVA
YORK, held every year in September at Madison Square Garden. The
artists (Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montaņez, Orquesta de
la Luz, Grupo Niche), along with 16,000 screaming fans, sang EL
GRAN COMBO's praises and gave them their fourth ana newest
Another reason that explains EL GRAN COMBO's triumph is the rather unique manner in which the group is managed. Ithier describes the formula as follows: <<EGC functions as a cooperative. We work as a team and the star of the group is EL GRAN COMBO. The decisions are taken collectively and we all agree that provided everyone does an excellent work, our chances to increase our income will be much higher. There is no fixed salary for any of us. We get paid in equal parts depending on the income generated by each snow. In the same manner, we share the difficult times>>. Ithier ads: <<We also ask from our musicians to take care of certain tasks that are typical in any company. We function with a treasurer, a secretary and a public relations agent. In this way, we are able to create a feeling of belonging towards the enterprise, which, I must say, we are in love with. The economic prosperity of EGC took off in 1981 and fortunately for the musicians and their families, it is still in effect nowadays. The first members of EL GRAN COMBO were: Rafael Ithier, Eddie Perez, Martin Quiflonez, Miguel Cruz, Hector Santos, Quito Velez, Roberto Roena (who now has his own band, the Apollo Sound), Milton Correa, Mickey Duchesne, Manenin, Cinckey and Pellili Rodriguez. Then came Andy Montaņez (very successful in his solo career), and later Elias Lopez, Victor Perez, Edwin Cortez, Mike Marrero and Mike Rainos. Today, as part of the group, are: Rafael Ithier, Eddie Perez, Charlie Aponte, Jerry Rivas, Taty Maldonado, Victor Rodriguez, Freddy Miranda, Papo Rosario, Miguel Torres, Domingo RAPHAEL
ITHIER, PIANO/DIRECTOR |