Founded in 1962 by Ithier, who was for many years the pianist and musical director of the orchestra, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico was born out of the breakup of Rafael Cortijo y su Combo, with some ...

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Rafael Ithier, a beloved musician and a founder of the legendary salsa band El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, whose hits have inspired Bad Bunny and other icons from the U.S.

Rafael Ithier, the musician who shaped the backbone of modern salsa and founded El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, has died at 99. According to Telemundo, news of his death was confirmed on Saturday, ...

The band -- founded by the late Rafael Ithier -- has placed more than 40 songs on the Tropical Airplay chart, including 15 top 10s. By Sigal Ratner-Arias Deputy Editor, Billboard Español The founder ...

Puerto Rico Salsa Giant Rafael Ithier, Who Led El Gran Combo for More Than Half a Century, Dies SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Rafael Ithier, a beloved musician and a founder of the legendary salsa band ...

FILE - Rafael Ithier of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Awards presentation at the Ka Theater in the MGM Grand Hotel on ...