My first thought in writing this blog was to call it Un Dia Oscuro en Nueva York (A Dark Day in New York), but I changed my mind the more I thought about it.
I woke up this morning to my wife telling me, emotionally, that today was a sad day, because the founder of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Rafael Ithier Natal, had passed away overnight at 99 years old. He was not just the founder, but the last remaining original member of the band he formed in 1962.
To Puerto Ricans, El Gran Combo (translated to "the Best Combination band") is the best of the best. They are the Spanish version of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, and other global giants, all combined into one. There is no Spanish Salsa playlist that does not have at least 1 song from the 40+ albums that the band has released since its founding. This is not just for Puerto Ricans, as they are and continue to be a global phenomenon. My wife's Cuban family had several albums that would be played during the numerous parties they had at their home as part of their repertoire.
For all Puerto Ricans, especially the diaspora who feel the connection to the island in our bones, El Gran Combo has connected us to our native home, our people, and our culture. From its founding in 1962 by Rafa, as he was affectionally known (note - that is also how my father was also known), El Gran Combo brought us back to the island sound, the food we eat, and the memories we share, whether these are memories we have personally experienced or feel through our DNA. More on this later...
As I looked online for some of the highlights that would accompany my own feelings and experiences of El Gran Combo, I see tributes and references from Canada "Puerto Rico salsa giant Rafael Ithier, who led El Gran Combo for more than half a century, dies", quotes such as: "His life is a testament to perseverance, humility, wisdom, and love for Puerto Rican roots and for salsa. Through his keys, his direction, his artistic vision, and his firm leadership, he made El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico a cultural treasure of Latin America and the world." from a reporter in Columbia, to even the mentioning of El Gran Combo's influence in Hong Kong through the efforts of Gia Fu, "the DJ from Hong Kong" who specializes in Salsa. Which, by the way, is someone I will be following myself online through her Mild Mambo Club channel on YouTube.
It's not just me associating El Gran Combo with the bands I mentioned above, but a NY Times article published in 2012 by Ben Ratliff called Jubilies and Living Histories talks about the intertwined connection and impact of El Gran Combo with the artists mentioned above.
A full band with drums, horns, bass, and of course the piano master Rafa himself, accompanied by incredible salsa dancing and amazing vocals by the likes of Pellin Rodriguez, Andy Montañez, Charlie Aponte, Luis "Papo" Rosario, Jerry Rivas, and most recently Anthony Garcia - just to name a few of the greatest. El Gran Combo's hits are too numerous to even mention, and every avid follower has their own special set of songs that makes any person feel the beat to get up out of their seat to dance Salsa.
Reaching out this morning to share the news with some non-Hispanic friends and conveying the sad news, I tried to limit the selection to what I personally would consider the top 5 in my playlist and found myself revisiting the list over and over as one hit brought back memories for me.
Growing up listening to Brujeria, No Hay Cama Pa' Tanta Gente, and many top songs from salsa to ballads, to remembering the first time Luisa and I went to Puerto Rico together in 1987, driving around the island and listening to the song that romanticized our trip and our joy that still rings true to this day - Eso Ojitos Negros. No matter where we are when that song comes on, we dance to it and remember that precious time.
Having had the luxury of seeing them in concert at the great Madison Square Garden in June of 2017 with Luisa and Nick, in Charlotte at the Puerto Rican festival in 2019 with Dan and Jill and other DNA cousins, and in Jacksonville in 2022 with Lori, my DNA cousin and husband Joey, my bucket list has been to see them in Puerto Rico one day. I have even introduced El Gran Combo and their hits to many of my DNA cousins to help them know more about our shared culture.
Rafa, on the official YouTube channel, talks about the sincere appreciation of El Gran Combo felt at one of his concerts in Lima, Peru. He even had to obtain permission from his doctors to attend and play there years ago.
Even as I write this, my first blog in a very long time, I feel the sadness and emotion typically associated with the loss of a family member. Strange but true, but I am sure I am not alone, as many Puerto Ricans and lots of other Hispanics and Latinos are probably feeling in this moment.
That is not to say that there are not many other leading Puerto Rican artists that have been instrumental to the creation of this style of music, such as Willie Colon, Ray Baretto Pagan, Hector Lavoe, Tito Puente, or are still carrying the torch like Marc Anthony, Victor Manuelle, Ricky Martin, Ivy Queen, and most recently Bad Bunny. Especially through the Bunny's most recent album, which is itself a beautiful tribute to Puerto Rico. He even samples the title of this post in one of his songs. But no artist has represented Puerto Rico like El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and El Gran Combo would not have been possible without Rafael.
When looking up at the sky when a star goes dark, your focus is entirely on that star that has disappeared. But stepping back that is when you see the other stars around you that continue to provide light in the darkness.
Rest in Peace, Rafa. Thank you for your musical contribution over these years, for the ability of all Puerto Ricans to be able to refer to your fruits of labor as a way of helping others know who we are, and for all of the joy we all feel when we hear your music.
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