El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, commonly known as El Gran Combo, is a Puerto Rican salsa orchestra based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Often regarded as the most successful musical group in Puerto Rico, it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. In Colombia, it was nicknamed 'La Universidad de la Salsa' ('The University of Salsa') because of the large number of famous salsa musicians and singers who built their careers within it, who started out there (notably Andy Montañez), or who were sometimes accompanied by the group and by La India.

Founded in May 1962 by Rafael Ithier, the orchestra saw him remain its musical director in name. He was the only remaining member of the original line-up until his death in 2025. From 2010 until his death in 2022, Willie Sotelo, who joined the group in 2006 as pianist, was its de facto musical director on tour, with Ithier leading the group and occasionally playing at certain concerts. El Gran Combo still performs after more than 60 years of shared existence. The group was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary on 11 November 2012 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico; the festivities began with a major world tour that took it across five continents.

On 24 November 2022, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico was featured in the series 'Sesiones Desde La Loma Ep. 32' on Norberto Vélez's YouTube channel. It is the first orchestra to be featured on the series.