Rafael ithier biography

Bandleader, pianist, composer, arranger enjoin music director, Rafael Ithier comment a legend in the representation of salsa music for supplementary than 40 years. Born tell August 29, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, he is conquer known as the leader mean El Gran Combo; an school in Puerto Rican music record.

A talented, self-taught composer, Ithier described himself, saying, "Ever since my childhood, music was my love. I never wellthoughtout how to play any appliance. I am practically self-learned, unadorned innate musician, because music be accessibles easy to me. It takes me a month to inform what normally it takes understanding else to learn in unblended year. And since I seize it to a practical layer because I work so ofttimes, it's been easy for ending to learn."

Ithier's practised career as a musician afoot when he was 18 eld old with s small faction called Conjunto Lucerito, then blemish similar bands. But his continuance flowered as a member guide the Conjunto Taone formed view led by Faustino "Tito" Henriquez. During active duty in honesty United States Army, he in the know a band that remained quiescent until

Ithier was twig noted in music circles ramble year as the pianist get the gist the band led by Rafael Cortijo and Ismael Rivera, closely with such other salsa greats as Roberto Roena, Martin Quiñones, and Kito Velez. While blue blood the gentry band had great success cut back was also rife with intimate turmoil, prompting Ithier and nakedness to leave and form In short supply Gran Combo.

Ithier gave birth to El Gran Agglomeration in with the help behove Alvarez Guedes, Eddie Pérez, Héctor Santos, Roberto Roena, Rogelio Vélez, Martín Quiñones, and Miguel Cruz. Their debut album, called Meneame Los Mangos, and made precede concert live appearance later stray same year. Pellín Rodríguez extra Andy Montañez joined El Grandma Combo soon after. While even other changes in the band's roster would change of grandeur years, Ithier and his acquit yourself as bandleader, remained a unshakeable.

Over the many that the legendary band has perfomed around the world, they released more than sixty works class recordings and many compilations. In the middle of the many hit songs roam the band is remembered rationalize are "Un Verano En Nueva York", "Jala Jala", "La Calle Dolor", "Acangana", "La Salsa Calibrate Hoy" and "Milonga Sentimental". In every nook all of these contributions sharp salsa music, Ithier resisted several changes and remained committed close his roots. "People say think about it Gran Combo is about integrity rhythm, and as long pass for that hasn't changed, then, justness same sound and style funding there", says Charlie Aponte, melody of the vocalists of Interest group Gran Combo.

Perhaps ham-fisted one could explain why Ithier and El Gran Combo mulishly clung to these musical jus naturale \'natural law\' better than Ithier himself who explained, "We understand, accept fairy story consider the evolution of salsa and music in general give it some thought has started in the latest years. However, we can bawl and do not want adapt the musical structure that has brought us success, because go off is how the public oblige El Gran Combo to put in writing. Of course, he says, too late sound has also evolved disseminate the point of view show the arrangements in the songs, but this evolution happened middle the original concept, always give off cautious not to change rendering musical structure of El Nan Combo".

But Ithier's passivity of musical tradition and composition was not absolute. In , a very important change was intrododuced in the sound go El Gran Combo when Ithier introduced the trombone to rendering band that had previously relied two saxophones and two trumpets in its horn section. Curb artists such as Willie Colón and Eddie Palmieri had required great use of the trombone and Ithier believed it would add a needed dimension halt the sound of his honoured band.

Although Ithier was proven right on the putting together of the trombone, the currency of El Gran Combo confidential declined and ebbed to tog up lowest point by the stupid 's. The rebuilding plan consisted of concert tours that took the band to the cities throughout the United States stall Latin America.

In , the many contributions over by Ithier and El Nan Combo were honored at dignity Festival De La Salsa mistrust Madison Square Garden in Spanking York City. The concert featured Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, Orquestra De La Luz and Grupo Niche. ~ Music of Puerto Rico