El Gran Combo - The Future of Them???

G

gabe0725

Changui
Does anyone have any clue on what will happen to EGC after Rafael Itheir passes away? I know Willie Soltero is his understudy and I believe plays piano now on gigs so does this mean, he'll be playing the black & whites after Sr Itheir passes away? Any info???
 
Let's hope Sr Ithier doesn't visit this forum, he might find the morbid content of this thread a little distasteful . . .
 
Mr. Rafa will have a little less active participation in the band but I'm sure he will still be present in gigs as long as his health let's him.

Just like Quique Lucca in Sonora Ponceña. I profoundly admire both and wish to be so alive if I'm lucky enough to reach their age.

God bless both!
 
Nah it's not distasteful. It's reality. Big difference.

But Abayarde is probably right with the Quique Lucca method. I know I saw a recent gig of them playing in PR and he did exactly that, stand on the side directing the band while Willie Sotelo played piano. Definitely hope he's around for many more years so we can have more great music from this powerhouse!

As for Quique Lucca, what exactly what his role with the band? I mean, I know he's Papo's dad but from the albums I have, his name was never referenced next a particular instrument and I saw some black & white footage from La Poncena from way back and he was never playing any instrument in them either. He was basically on the side just "bopping" to the music. Did he actually play an instrument in the band or more like a director?
 
gabe0725 said:
Nah it's not distasteful. It's reality. Big difference.

But Abayarde is probably right with the Quique Lucca method. I know I saw a recent gig of them playing in PR and he did exactly that, stand on the side directing the band while Willie Sotelo played piano. Definitely hope he's around for many more years so we can have more great music from this powerhouse!

As for Quique Lucca, what exactly what his role with the band? I mean, I know he's Papo's dad but from the albums I have, his name was never referenced next a particular instrument and I saw some black & white footage from La Poncena from way back and he was never playing any instrument in them either. He was basically on the side just "bopping" to the music. Did he actually play an instrument in the band or more like a director?
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is not rare nowdays to watch Don Rafa starting the gigs playing the piano with "El Gran Combo". a few songs later he rises, smiles and reach his mic to say: "Ya yo toqué lo que iba a tocar!" ("i'm done! i'm not playing anymore!"). then Willie goes and plays the piano in the following songs.

excellent question about Quique Lucca. not much info in the internet. just guitar player and musical director before Papo. but I just asked his granddaughter, Keila, that question. will let you know when she answers.
 
Abayarde said:
excellent question about Quique Lucca. not much info in the internet. just guitar player and musical director before Papo. but I just asked his granddaughter, Keila, that question. will let you know when she answers.
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Keila told me Quique used to play guitar, but that was a long time ago.
 
gabe0725 said:
ah cool. did he play on any of Poncena's album?
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articles about this stated that most of his works as a musician was before starting the Sonora project. I assume he worked initially as a musical arranger to assure a Sonora Matancera "feeling" until Papo took charge in the late sixties.

Quique is a huge fan of Sonora Matancera and wanted to keep the same style and sonority in his own Sonora Ponceña. If you listen his 1962 recording with Felipe Rodriguez and Davilita ["Al Compás de las Sonoras", Marvela (LP) / Disco Hit (CD)] the similarities are noticeable.
 
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