Experience the classic sound of Puerto Rican salsa from the source!
More than 50 years as a benchmark of the genre!
Back in Japan by popular demand.

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico Japan Tour 2014

By popular demand and with a mission to complete unfinished business in Japan, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico returns for a nationwide tour this summer!
El Gran Combo has been a giant of the salsa genre for more than 50 years, shaping the Puerto Rican sound and serving as an unmistakable reference point for all singers, musicians, dancers and lovers of Latin music. During that time it has helped popularize salsa across the globe, releasing more than 40 albums, landing numerous Latin Grammy awards and creating dozens of timeless classics that have become standard tunes for the genre.

Largely defiant in the face of musical fads that come and go, the band has stayed faithful to its Puerto Rican roots and a distinctive sound featuring loud and proud horns, lock-tight grooves and playful vocals with a delicious swing. The group is also known as the University of Salsa for its many ‘graduates’ who have gone on to become genre legends like their musical alma mater.

Pianist and founder Rafael Ithier has insisted on El Gran Combo' s swift return to Japan. Fit again after the health issues that prevented him from participating in the band' s previous visit, the inspiring 88-year-old sees this tour as an opportunity to make up for his absence two years ago on a tour cut short by a dramatic typhoon. Ithier guarantees that audiences across Japan who come to see El Gran Combo will never ever forget the definitive sound of Puerto Rico.

Coming sonn...

"Golden voice" of Cuban salsa, Rojitas

Coming soon...

Tokyo Ensemble:

Juan carlos Lopez Valdes (conga,coro)
Ludwig Esteban Nunez Pastoriza (drum,timbal,coro)
Takashi “Grappa”Mizota (trumpet)
Hironori Eto (trombone)
Tetsuo Koizumi (bass)
Hisayo Yamada (director, arranger, piano, keyboard,coro)

Coming soon...