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A musical institution on their home island of Puerto Rico,
they’ve been making music for nearly half a century. But don’t
let those 50 years fool you into thinking their salsa is in
anyway staid or musty. Full of energy, with split-second
rhythmic timing and playful lyrics, the ‘CEO of Salsa’ is at the
top of its game.
Founded in 1962 by pianist and musical director Rafaél Ithier,
one of their first jobs was working as studio musicians for the
live television show La Taverna India.
The original line-up included, along with Ithier, Eddie Pérez,
Hector Santos, Kito Vélez, Martin Quiñones, Miguel Cruz, and
Roberto Roena, who were soon joined by Andy Montanez and Pellin
Rodríguez, two of the most famous salsa singers of the time.
El Gran Combo has recorded over 50 releases. Notable among them
is El Gran Combo is Las Vegas(1978), both a success and a
sigh of relief as it was recorded after the departure of Andy
Montanez, Aqui no Se Sienta Nadie(1992) and Breaking
the Ice – El Gran Combo en Alaska(2000) which earned them a
Grammy nomination.
In 1982, the group celebrated their 25 year anniversary with a
historic concert in Madison Square Garden.
Today, only Ithier and saxaphonist Eddie Pérez remain from the
original group. But the lineup of remarkable musicians that have
performed with El Gran Combo reads like a Who’s Who of the salsa
world, including such luminaries as Gilberto Santa who is
one of many to have come from El Grand Combo. So it’s not
surprising that their nickname is the “University of Salsa.
Get $5 discount with McDonalds
The Northeast Ohio has been one of El Grand Combo favorite
stops. That is why Cleveland has been selected be one of their
stop for the 50 Year Anniversary Tour Concert. If you bring a
large McDonalds soft drink cup to the Wolstein Center when you
buy your ticket you will receive a $5.00 discount off any ticket
you buy.
McDonalds is a sponsor of El Gran Combo National Hispanic
Heritage Month Kick off at the Cleveland State University
Wolstein Center on September 2, 2011; for more information go on
the Cleveland stop go to wolsteincenter.com or call 216-325-8826
or 440-670-7017.
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