Rafael Ithier

Bandleader, pianist and musical director of El Gran Combo, Rafael Ithier, has been one of the leading figures in the Tropical Latin music scene for over four decades. Setting aside the modern influences of Latin music, Ithier has remained loyal to his traditional roots.

According to Charlie Aponte, one of the band’s vocalists, "People say that Gran Combo is about the rhythm, and as long as that hasn't changed, then, the same sound and style are there". Ithier was first taken notice of as a member of "El Combo de Rafael Cortijo" toward the end of the 50’s. Among the many hits that "El Gran Combo" recorded are "Un verano en Nueva York", "Jala Jala", "La Calle Dolor", "Acangana", "La Salsa de hoy" and "Milonga Sentimental".

Despite enriching his sounds by adding a trombone to his wind section made up of two saxophones and two trumpets, in 1972, Ithier and El Gran Combo had their lowest popularity slump in the late 70’s. Tours around the most important cities in Latin America and the U.S. allowed them to reconstruct their continuity. In 1992 Ithier and El Gran Combo, were honored at the Salsa Festival, during a concert with Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Andy Montañez, Orquesta de La Luz and Grupo Niche at Madison Square Garden in Nueva York.