El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico is an orchestra that plays salsa music. They are based in San Juan, Puerto Rico and have been active since 1962. The orchestra has come to be known as the country’s most commercially successful group of any genre of music. They celebrated their 50^th anniversary last year, where they were also lauded as everyone’s favorite Salsa music artists to ever live. In Columbia, they are often known as the “University of Salsa”, simply because of the fact that so many talented singers and musicians have begun their career by being part of this group. Andy Montanez is in particular linked with concept for he has famously cited the orchestra as the reason for his success. The group has become famous all over the world; they play shows in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. If you too want a chance to visit their concert, get El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico tickets.
 
The music group was first put together by Rafael Ithier in the summer of 1962. He is still considered the sole musical director for the orchestra. He, along with Eddie Perez, the saxophone player, is the only members left from the original lineup. The acting musical director however is Willie Sotelo, and he has been performing his duties as such since 2010. He originally became part of the orchestra in 2006 and played the piano. Now, he has the added responsibility of creatively directing the shows while Ithier has taken the place of the conductor, sometime stepping aside to play instruments as well.
 
One thing that has astonished music critics the most about them is that not many orchestras of their kind have lasted this long without compromising their core sound and principles. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, however have stayed as they are for half a century, defying the needs to conform to the consumer culture. Their rhythmic squares have remained the same and they have remained rigid to the demands of the recording industry who seek to “modernize” them time and time again.
 
Another aspect that sets the band apart is that they come from one of the places where salsa was born. Therefore, they are arguably more authentic than the many similar groups that had formed in the 1960s in New York, when the salsa fad had hit the nation. Even though they prefer preserving their primary sound, it does mean that they are old fashioned. They like to innovate and be creative like any other artists and have experimented with many complex timbres. Still, the basic rhythms have been the same and the structures on which most of their compositions are based have also always been characteristic of them. They have also not been ignorant to the new and emerging studio techniques. They have realized the importance of keeping up with new technology and how it affects their sound when they record. This balance of old and new has been kept in check by Ithier who has lived through both the changing environment and the evolution of the orchestra itself.
 
During the concert, one of their signature pieces would be “Acangana”. This particular composition has been noted for its well written harmonies and the simplicity of the lyrics. The orchestra in general has been appreciated for making simple thoughts and everyday topics seem interesting with their arrangements. Their rhythms and harmonies are simple yet intelligible. They have somehow managed to strike the balance between giving the public what they want and keeping the sound of folk Puerto Rican music unadulterated. An interesting fact about the original member, Ithier is that even though he created these effortless melodies, he has received no formal training in music, when he talks of his association with music and the methods with which he composes, he has mentioned how he cannot think in terms of Beethoven, but rather in terms of Ramito or Chuito, who compose by ear as he does.
 
Their concert gives people the chance to have a good time. With their music blasting in the venue, their audiences usually indulge in salsa dancing. This is why their shows have always had a festive feel and are held in open air venues or dance floors. Attending their shows will introduce you to the true tastes of the country in all its flair and authenticity. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico tickets can still be bought online for a show near you.