Rafael Ithier, leader of the salsa band El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, has died, The Associated Press reports. He was 99.
The news was confirmed by an attorney for the Ithier family, Víctor Rivera, to WKAQ on Saturday. The cause and date of death was not disclosed.
“Puerto Rico has lost a giant, a man whose life was dedicated to elevating our identity through the art and rhythm that distinguishes us to the world,” Marlese Sifre, mayor of Ponce, said in a statement. “Rafael Ithier Natal was not only the founder and musical director of one of our cultural pillars, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, but he was also an example of discipline, excellence, and deep love for our land.”
Ithier was born in the Río Piedras community in San Juan on Aug. 29, 1926. His interest in music began early, at age 10 when he started playing the guitar. Back then, he would perform at a grocery store for tips, according to local nonprofit National Foundation for Popular Culture.
After he finished eighth grade, financial issues forced him to leave school so he could work odd jobs, and at age 15 he joined his first musical group, Conjunto Hawaiano. While a member, he learned to play the Cuban tres and the double bass. He later joined the Conjunto Taoné and remained with them for six years. Around this time, he taught himself the piano and was self-taught at reading sheet music. He later joined another group, Conjunto del Pueblo.
After he joined the U.S. army and serving in Korea when he was in his twenties, he moved to New York where he formed The Borinqueneers Mambo Kings. The band’s name was taken from the nickname for 65th Infantry Regiment of Puerto Rico, a Puerto Rican Army unit that was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for its service in World Wars I and II and the Korean War.
A year later, he returned to Puerto Rico and became a member of Cortijo y Su Combo until it disbanded in 1962, after its renowned vocalist Ismael Rivera was arrested.
Ithier was contemplating leaving music following the band’s demise, and was considering a career in banking and pursuing a law degree, however the future members of El Gran Combo convinced him otherwise.
It was a fruitful decision. Ithier took to the piano for the band’s first show at the Rock’n Roll Club in Bayamón on May 26, 1962, and his fate and legendary path was set. He served as arranger, composer, music, producer, and orchestra conductor for the world-renowned band.
Ithier led El Gran Combo for more than five decades, taking the orchestra to perform through five continents, and they made over 40 albums. Their 1979 album, ¡Aquí No Se Sienta Nadie!, landed at Number Nine on Rolling Stone’s 50 Greatest Salsa Albums of All Time list. “An affable leader, Ithier avoided solos and focused on creating a groove propelled by the kind of hypnotic bounce that can keep you on the dancefloor,” the RS review, which calls the orchestra a “timeless boricua institution,” said. “The epitome of smooth Puerto Rican salsa, this 1979 session finds El Combo long established as la universidad de la salsa.”
El Gran Combo’s hits include “Por Ella,” “Cupido,” “Me Liberé,” “Y No Hago Más Ná,” and “Un Verano en Nueva York.” The latter served as inspiration for Bad Bunny’s “Nuevayol,” the opening track from the Grammy nominated Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
On Sunday, in tribute to his musical inspiration, Bad Bunny posted a collage of photographs of the beloved musician on his Instagram Story, which included Ithier alongside members of El Gran Combo. The photo homage was soundtracked to El Gran Combo’s “Nunca Fui” and “Un Verano en Nueva York.”