Originally published Friday, May 9, 2008 at 12:00 AM
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico: You have got to dip into this salsa
As a bonus to its highly recommended exhibit "American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music," Experience Music Project presents the greatest...
Seattle Times jazz critic
El Gran Combo
8 p.m. today at Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; $40-$50 (206-770-2702 or www.empsfm.org).As a bonus to its highly recommended exhibit "American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music," Experience Music Project presents the greatest salsa band of all time — El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico — at 8 tonight at EMP.
With its 40-year-plus legacy of more than 50 albums, including a Grammy-winning 40th anniversary concert disc, El Gran Combo is the real deal — salsa as it has been danced to in Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Curaçao and beyond for more than four decades. With saxophones, trumpets and trombone answering the call of an infectious vocal trio — which in turn follows its own lead-and-chorus patterns — and a thicket of percussion thrusting the music forward, El Gran Combo creates an irresistible mix for dancing or listening.
Known popularly as "The University of Salsa," because so many great players have passed through its ranks, El Gran Combo originated in a 1962 split-off led by pianist Rafael Ithier from the Afro-Puerto Rican band Cortijo y su Combo, which introduced black genres into Puerto Rican pop music. The group's first album, "Acángana," went gold in 1964. Shortly thereafter, the band was playing at New York's legendary Palladium with Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito.
El Gran Combo's fame was solidified via regular appearances on an afternoon TV show in Puerto Rico. So ingrained in Puerto Rican culture is this band that its songs have given rise to many popular sayings, including "Este muerto no lo cargo yo (I don't carry around that corpse)," from the song "Don Goyo," which translates as, "I wash my hands of that problem."
Though the band continually brings new material into its repertoire, it still performs classics such as "No hay cama pa'tanta gente," "Un verano en Nueva York" and the humorous "El caballo pelotero." The group's coordinated dance routines are a visual delight. This is a no-miss event.
The EMP exhibit will be open tonight and is included in the price of the concert.
Paul de Barros: 206-464-3247 or pdebarros@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
CD review | Wale's 'Attention Deficit'
Dozens of acts, several stages beckon at first Seattle cabaret festival
Deck the Hall Ball lineup announced; tickets on sale Saturday
Simon Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic to tour U.S.
Taylor made? All eyes on Swift at CMA awards

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Huskies are finding talent in Tacoma
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
272 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
264 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
210 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
194 - Obama pressed into role as national healer
142 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
131 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
100 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
97 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
86 - DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
86
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'








