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Rafael Cortijo (January 11, 1928- October 3, 1982), was a Puerto Rican musician, orquestra leader and composer.
Cortijo as a child became interested in Caribbean music, showing interest in the works of some of the era's most important Plena music stars. He eventually met some Plena celebrities and he learned how to make his own congas and tambors.
Legendary salsa singer Ismael Rivera met Cortijo when Cortijo was a youngster; they became lifelong friends. Rivera was attracted by Cortijo's conga playing ability. Cortijo joined Rivera's orchestra, and the orquestra travelled at patronal celebrations all over Puerto Rico.
Cortijo wanted to have an orchestra where he could entirely dedicate himself to his first musical love: plena. A few years after earning experience with Rivera's orchestra, he separated, and formed his own, plena only, orquestra. Cortijo was instrumental in making sure his new musical group had trumpets and saxofons as well.
Rafael Cortijo became well known across Latin America. He attributed that to his tambors and the fact that, according to him, African tambor music was known worldwide. Cortijo was also a member of the Conjunto Monterrey, based in Monterrey, Mexico.
Later on, Cortijo worked on radio, with such luminaries as Myrta Silva and Miguelito Valdes. Cortijo also toured with Daniel Santos' orchestra.
By 1954, Cortijo was a member of "El Combo", whose leader, Mario Roman, retired soon after. As a member of "El Combo". Cortijo met lifelong friends Sammy Ayala and Rafael Ithier. Ithier saw Cortijo as one of his idols; in 1962, and inspired in part by Cortijo, Ithier went on to found the legendary group, "El Gran Combo". But, before Ithier left "El Combo", Ismael Rivera joined Cortijo's band, in 1955.
From there on and until 1960, Cortijo and his orchestra played live on a Puerto Rican television show.
Later on, Cortijo created another orchestra, "Bonche", where he was joined by his daughter, Fe Cortijo. Fe then became a well known musician on her own.
Cortijo became broke after this; the problems that he and Rivera faced took a toll on Cortijo's economy, and he and Rivera were not seen with good eyes by many Puerto Ricans. Cortijo and Rivera went to live in New York. Cortijo, however, soon returned to Puerto Rico, where the legendary composer, Tite Curet Alonso, forged a friendship with the empoverished star and helped Cortijo produce an album.
In 1974, Coco Records reunited all the former members of the "Combo" orchestra for a one time only concert.
In 1982, Cortijo was diagnosed with pancrea cancer, and he passed away on October 3 of that year.
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