Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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CORTIJO, Rafael

(b '28 Santurce, Puerto Rico; d '83 NYC) Bandleader, percussionist, composer. His obituary said he was as important in Latin music as Duke Ellington was in jazz. He turned pro with the band of Frank Madera; made his first overseas tour with heart-throb crooner Daniel Santos; did radio work with the multi-talented Myrta Silva (b 11 Sept. '23, Arecibo, Puerto Rico; d 2 Dec. '87, San Juan, Puerto Rico) and Cuban singing legend Miguelito Valdés; the latter urged him to become a bandleader, which he did mid-50s, recording his first hit 'El Bombón de Elena' (included in album Invites You To Dance/Los Invita A Bailar on Seeco), sung by the powerful, husky voice of Ismael Rivera. This first band was the most important in Puerto Rico, appeared on popular midday TV programme Show Del Mediodia (performances collected on El Alma De Un Pueblo '77). He changed to Gema label for Cortijo En New York '59, Fiesta Boricua c'60, Bueno, Y Qué? '60, Quítate de la Vía, Perico and Danger '61 (most of these reissued on Rumba); Ismael y Cortijo -- Los Dos Grandes de Siempre 'Sus 16 Exitos' '82 on AF is an excellent collection of Gema tracks. Los Internacionales '62 on Marvela (reissued on Disco Hit) was Rivera's last with Cortijo before his imprisonment for a drugs offence; that year Cortijo sidemen walked out under the leadership of pianist Rafael Ithier to become El Gran Combo. Following Rivera's release he reunited with Cortijo for Bienvenido!/Welcome! '66 and Con Todos Los Hierros (Everything But The Kitchen Sink!) c'67 on Tico; Rivera went solo and Cortijo formed the group Bonche, which featured the undistinguished voice of his daughter Fé Cortijo among its lead singers; albums with Bonche included Sorongo c'68, also featuring notable singer Nacho Sanabria, and Ahí Na Má/Put It There! '69, with co-lead singer Camilo Azuquita. He switched to Ansonia for three albums, including the early-'70s classic Ritmos y Cantos Callejeros with percussionist Kako and vocalist Chivirico Dávila. Cortijo's Time Machine/Maquina del Tiempo '74, his first on Coco, described as one of the most avant-garde salsa records (a flop at the time), blending plena, bomba, Cuban music, introducing Brazilian friction drum, early use of electric guitar; this was followed by the Coco releases Juntos Otra Vez '74 (a reunion of original combo remaking early hits, reissued '82 as Ismael Rivera Sonero No. 1), Champions '75 and Caballo de Hierro '78, the last with Mario Bauzá on trumpet and produced by Charlie Palmieri. His final album El Sueño Del Maestro '80 was made for Frank Ferrer's Tierrazo Records (reissued on Disco Hit) and included Fé and Ismael Rivera's son Ismaelo as co-lead vocalists.