The man who shaped an era: Rafael Ithier’s life and legacy

Born in 1926 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rafael Ithier grew up in the working-class barrio of Río Piedras. After losing his father at a young age, he helped support his family — early on, picking up the guitar to play for tips. By the age of 10 he was already playing guitar; by 14, he had to leave school to work. Yet music remained his passion. Over time, he taught himself to play the Cuban tres, the double bass, and ultimately the piano — the instrument with which he would define his musical career.

In his mid-twenties, Ithier served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea. Though he initially resisted the idea of service (“I have to confess that I cried when I was sworn in as a soldier”), he later credited the Army as the source of the discipline and structure that would guide him throughout his life and career.

After his military service, Ithier immersed himself in music. He played in a New York City group named “The Borinqueneers Mambo Kings,” before returning to Puerto Rico to join the iconic ensemble Cortijo y Su Combo. However, in 1962, after a series of internal troubles with Cortijo’s group, Ithier — together with fellow musicians — founded “El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico,” an orchestra that would become a pillar of salsa music worldwide.

Under Ithier’s leadership, El Gran Combo earned the nickname “La Universidad de la Salsa,” a testament to its role as a launching pad for countless musicians. The group toured the world, released dozens of albums, and recorded timeless salsa classics including “Me Liberé,” “No hay cama pa’ tanta gente,” “Brujería,” “Un verano en Nueva York,” “Timbalero,” “Ojos chinos,” among others.

For more than six decades, Rafael Ithier served as the musical director, arranger, pianist, and moral compass of El Gran Combo — maintaining a consistent vision, demanding discipline, and nurturing talent. Many past and current members of the band have described him as a “patriarch,” a mentor, and the architect of a sound that resonated across generations.

On the night of December 6, 2025 — early reporting suggests — Rafael Ithier passed away at the age of 99. An attorney for the Ithier family confirmed the news to local press. According to official statements from the band, his death followed complications of health, though the cause has not been publicly detailed in full.

In its statement, El Gran Combo expressed sorrow and gratitude: “Today we bid farewell not only to a great musician, but to the architect of a sound that marked generations.” The band thanked fans and colleagues for their outpouring of solidarity and respect.

Across Puerto Rico and the Latin music world, tributes have poured in. Fellow artists, cultural institutions, and fans have mourned his loss. Some called for an official day of mourning, in recognition of Ithier’s monumental impact on Puerto Rican identity and Latin music as a whole.

With Rafael Ithier’s passing, a chapter in salsa history closes — but his legacy remains. The music he helped create and the orchestra he nurtured continue to live on. El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico remains active, and countless musicians who came up under Ithier’s watch carry forward his values of discipline, excellence, and commitment to cultural identity. As many have said since his death: the sound he crafted is eternal.

In the end, what survives isn’t just a collection of songs — it’s a cultural heritage. For decades, Ithier gave voice and rhythm to Puerto Rico, bringing salsa to the world stage. Now, his absence is felt deeply. Yet more than mourning, the moment calls for remembrance — of a maestro, a leader, a teacher, and perhaps above all: a guardian of musical identity.