Who founded the salsa band El Gran Combo?
Answer
Rafael Ithier
Rafael Ithier founded the salsa band El Gran Combo.
El Gran Combo formed in Puerto Rico in May 1962 after the breakup of Rafael Cortijo’s orchestra, Cortijo y su Combo. Ithier had been a member of that influential group and brought several former colleagues together for recording sessions backing Dominican singer Joseíto Mateo. The resulting orchestra became El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.
Ithier served as the group’s musical director and bandleader, helping shape its sound and its durable big-band format. The orchestra soon established itself through recordings, television appearances, touring, and a succession of celebrated singers, including Andy Montañez and Charlie Aponte.
A common mix-up is to identify one of those famous vocalists as the founder. Héctor Lavoe and Ismael Rivera were major salsa figures, while Andy Montañez became an important El Gran Combo singer, but none founded the band. El Gran Combo is also widely nicknamed “La Universidad de la Salsa” because so many prominent musicians passed through its ranks.