finetune artist: El Gran Combo

In May 1962, under the leadership of pianist/arranger/composer Rafael Ithier, members of Rafael Cortijo's Combo deserted to become the 11-piece El Gran Combo (EGC). The defectors were Rogelio "Kito" Vlez (d. 1990; trumpet and arrangements); Eddie Prez and Hctor Santos (saxophones), Martin Qui¤ones (conga), Roberto Roena (bongo and dancer), Miguel Cruz (deceased) (bass). They were joined by Andy Monta¤ez and Pell¡n Rodr¡guez (b. Pedro Rodr¡guez de Gracia, 4 December 1926, Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico, d. 31 October 1984; vocals); Milton Correa (timbales), Victor Prez (trumpet). They became the quintessential salsa dance band, churning out hit albums for three decades. With the addition of a trombone in the late 60s and a third vocalist at the beginning of the 70s, EGC retained the resultant 13-piece format (two saxophones, two trumpets, trombone, conga, bongo, timbales, bass, piano and three singers) until the present day. The only founder members remaining in the 90s version of the band are leader Ithier and Eddie Prez. In February 1963, members of EGC (Ithier, Cruz, Roena, Correa, Qui¤ones, Vlez, Eddie Prez, Santos) comprised the backbone of an early morning Latin jam session (descarga) recording led by Kako, and issued under the title Puerto Rican All-Stars Featuring Kako in 1965. The other participants included Charlie Palmieri and Mario Ortiz.

Listen to El Gran Combo at Finetune.

Salsa Caliente
Perdona Viejo