Rafael ithier Natal, the founder and longtime director of El Gran combo de Puerto Rico, died Saturday at the age of 99, leaving a lasting legacy on Latin music and Puerto Rican culture.Frequently enough hailed as “The University of Salsa,” Ithier’s orchestra spent over six decades defining the genre with a signature sound and rigorous work ethic, earning a devoted international following. Beyond the stage, ithier was a key figure in navigating the business side of the music industry and fostering a collaborative environment that launched the careers of numerous musicians. This article details the life and career of a beloved innovator whose influence extended far beyond the island of puerto Rico.
Rafael Ithier Natal, the founder and longtime director of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, has died, sources confirmed Saturday. He was 99 years old.
Ithier, a towering figure in Latin music, is survived by his wife, Carmen Soto, and his children Carlos, Pedro, Thelma, Mérida, Ivonne, and Maritza.
Puerto Rico has lost one of its most important musical innovators, the architect of an orchestra that became a cultural flagship around the world. El Gran Combo, often called “The University of Salsa,” established a unique sound and work ethic that defined the genre for over half a century.
Beyond his role as director, Ithier was a skilled arranger, pianist, and composer. But it was his administrative vision that truly set El Gran Combo apart, creating a training ground for generations of musicians. He founded the orchestra in 1962 alongside Rogelio “Quito” Vélez, Martín Quiñones, Miguel Cruz, Eddie Pérez, Héctor Santos, and Roberto Roena, after leaving the Combo de Rafael Cortijo due to disagreements over leadership.
Since then, Ithier and his musicians have chronicled the lives and experiences of Puerto Ricans through hundreds of songs, captivating audiences across six continents.
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico boasts a discography of over 70 albums, with “Alunizando,” released in August 2016, being their most recent.
While he stepped back from some of his duties in 2007, delegating responsibilities to pianist and arranger Willie Sotelo, Ithier remained actively involved with the orchestra. He even contributed musical arrangements to “Alunizando.”
Here’s a look back at the life and career of a salsa legend:
• Born August 29, 1926, in Old San Juan, he was raised in the Monacillos neighborhood of Río Piedras.
• His parents were Nicolás “Macaco” Ithier and Mérida Natal.
• Growing up in a musical household – his father was a bohemian and his uncle a musician – fostered his lifelong passion for music.
• He was largely self-taught, eventually focusing on the piano, though he initially played guitar at age ten.
• He began his professional career in 1941 with Fermín Machuca’s Hawaiian Ensemble.
• Ithier served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1952.
• After his military service, he joined Rafael Cortijo’s Combo on January 28, 1954, honing his skills before ultimately forming his own group.
• El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico debuted on May 26, 1962.
• Their first hit was “Menéame los mangos.”
• In the early years, Ithier distinguished his orchestra from Cortijo’s, quickly achieving success.
• The group was among the first to perform live on television.
• In 1969, Roberto Roena and Elías Lopés left to form Apollo Sound, a direct competitor. That same year, El Gran Combo faced cancellations of television and radio appearances, as well as the loss of their recording contract with Gema Records, prompting Ithier to revamp the orchestra’s business model.
• Pellín Rodríguez departed in 1973, and Charile Aponte joined as lead vocalist.
• In 1977, they were named the Best International Orchestra in Venezuela and awarded the Copa Presidente, but also saw the departure of Andy Montañez, who joined the Venezuelan group La Dimensión Latina. Ithier acknowledged the pain of Montañez’s exit, and Jerry Rivas stepped in to fill the role.
• By their 20th anniversary, El Gran Combo had received numerous national and international accolades, including the Congo de Oro from Colombia, a resolution from the Puerto Rican Senate, and a Paoli Award.
• They performed a historic concert at Madison Square Garden in 1982.
• Their 30th anniversary was celebrated with the album “Gracias: 30 años de sabor” in 1992.
• In 2012, during their 50th anniversary, El Gran Combo embarked on a nearly two-year international tour, including a performance in St. Petersburg, Russia – a long-held dream for the director.
• A legal dispute with the late saxophonist Eddie “La Bala” Pérez, who alleged wrongful termination, marked a controversial period in Ithier’s career, continuing even after Pérez’s death in 2013.
• Charlie Aponte announced his departure from El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in December 2014, and Anthony García joined the group months later.
• In 2015, the municipality of Guaynabo announced that the Museum of Music would be named after Rafael Ithier.
• Ithier had the opportunity to perform with the group on six continents, fulfilling a goal of reaching Africa with a 2016 concert in Equatorial Guinea.
• He released the album “En Cuarentena” in 2021.
• Most recently, Ithier’s legacy was honored with the Estrella a la Excelencia award at the Día Nacional de la Zalsa event on Z-93, recognizing his contributions to salsa music.
