Rafael Ithier, the visionary Puerto Rican pianist and bandleader who founded the renowned salsa ensemble El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and led it for decades, passed away on Sunday, December 7 (or December 6, as reported by others) in Puerto Rico at the age of 99. Widely recognized as a monumental figure not just in Caribbean and tropical music, but across Latin music as a whole, Ithier and his iconic band gained significant renewed global attention this year following Bad Bunny’s critically acclaimed album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The album's opening track, “Nuevayol,” which establishes a tone of homage to salsa and New York, prominently samples El Gran Combo’s 1975 hit “Un Verano en Nueva York.”

Born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, in 1926, Ithier's life was intertwined with music from an early age. His uncle, Salvador Ithier, was a musician who played with another Puerto Rican legend, Rafael Hernández. Ithier began playing the guitar as a young boy and later taught himself the piano. He served in the U.S. military during the Korean War, during which time he formed a music group called Los Borinquena Mambo Boys. Ithier credited his military service for instilling discipline and responsibility in him. Back stateside, he honed his craft playing with Rafael Cortijo’s Cortijo y su Combo before establishing El Gran Combo in 1962. Initially assembled for a studio session, the group quickly secured a steady television gig, rapidly growing in prominence and recognition.

El Gran Combo's distinctive big band format set a new standard, becoming a template emulated by numerous subsequent salsa bands, including Colombia’s Grupo Niche, which adopted Ithier’s meticulous precision. The band earned the affectionate nickname “La Universidad de La Salsa” (The Salsa University) due to its role as a launching pad for countless talented singers, such as Andy Montañez and Charly Aponte. Beyond its musical influence, El Gran Combo served as an enduring cultural ambassador for Puerto Rico, extending its impact far beyond the island's shores. Just last year, Ithier was honored on Veteran’s Day by the U.S. Army for his service and was awarded a medal, a testament to his dual contributions to country and culture.

The band’s brassy, syncopated arrangements and uplifting songs, executed with remarkable precision and gusto, translated into considerable chart success. El Gran Combo secured 10 albums on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart, including five top 10 hits. On the Tropical Airplay chart, the group boasts an astounding 41 hits, with two reaching No. 1: “Se nos perdió el amor” and “Me liberé.” Their extensive discography also includes 22 entries on Hot Latin Songs and a record 10 chart-topping albums on Top Tropical Albums, making them a leading group in this category. In recognition of their enduring legacy, El Gran Combo was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in 2002.

The news of Ithier’s passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the music world. Puerto Rico’s Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon praised his music, discipline, and vision for bringing “the flavor of Puerto Rico to the world.” Bad Bunny dedicated his entire Instagram stories’ feed to Ithier, stating, “Thank you for one of the biggest contributions that Latin music has had. El Combo is not only an orchestra; it’s part of the soul and the culture of a people: El Gran Combo is Puerto Rico and our flag plays in the entire world. Long live Rafael Ithier.” Other prominent artists also shared their condolences. Marc Anthony wrote, “We lost a pillar. A legend who took Puerto Rico and our flag around the world with his unparalleled sound,” while Gilberto Santa Rosa expressed, “With the pain of a son that loses his father, I say goodbye to my ‘Querido Viejo’ Rafael Ithier… I knew the musical genius and the wonderful person. The leader and natural manager, the loving family man. The patriot, the baseball fan, the proud Puerto Rican who rose from nothing and became an icon of Puerto Rican culture.” Ithier’s unparalleled contributions ensured that his rhythm will endure in the hearts of people wherever salsa is celebrated.