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Master Willie Sotelo formed part of the “University of Salsa” since 2006. (Photo: archive of the newspaper Primera Hora de Puerto Rico). this Friday due to health complications, reported the orchestra through a brief statement. He was 62 years old.
“His wife Jannette Navarro, his daughter Wilmalie Sotelo, other relatives, the maestroRafael Ithier and colleagues from the orchestra ask for space to cope with such a difficult processand they appreciate all the expressions of affection and prayers towards them”, indicates the announcement.
The legendary pianist started playing music. in the artistic environment in his native Mayagüez, where at the age of 14 he began his work. to play the organ and at 19 he founded “Willie Sotelo’s Music Center”, also in the city where he was born.
The musician made his in El Gran Combo in 2006 on a trip through Canada. and Europe.
In addition, he recorded orchestra productions such as “Arroz con habichuela”, which provided He gave the group a Grammy Award in 2007 in the category of best salsa album.
Sotelo was also linked to other orchestras such as La Solución and was musical director of Frankie Ruiz , by Roberto Roena and the Apollo Sound.
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico is a salsa groupof Puerto Rico with international prestige since it was founded on May 26, 1962 by Rafael Ithier, who was for many years the orchestra’s pianist and musical director. That was 60 years ago.
It is known as “The University of Salsa”, among other nicknames, and the difference with other orchestras is that the others “don’t let the singer shines and his intention is more musical than rhythmic”.
Although El Gran Combo currently has two relatively new voices to accompany Rivas in musical performances -Anthony García and Joselito Hernández- the orchestra has not lost its musical identity.< /p>
The group defends the salsa genre, despite the fact that there are fewer and fewer Puerto Rican musicians who dare to venture into the Caribbean rhythm in the face of competition from others of greater importance. worldwide rebound.
Some of these young artists who have dared to continue the legacy of current salsa legends in the genre are Francisco Rosado “Pirulo”, Willito Otero, Carlos García, Norberto Vélez, Juan Joseph Hernández and Gerardo Rivas.
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico is recognized for musical successes such as “A summer in New York”, “Arroz con habichuela”, “Arroz con habichuela”, ” The ball horse”, “The menu”, “La loma del tamarindo”, “And I don’t do anything else”, “Love me”, “Witchcraft”, ” Falsaría”, “Elimination of ugly”, “White sheets”, “Drops of rain”, “Death”, “It left me”, “Azuquita pa’l café” “, “Pilitos party”, “There is no bed for” so many people”, “I freed myself”, “To the queen”, “Tennis”, “Julia”, “Chinese eyes”, among others.
