BETHLEHEM, Pa. — In a nod to the spirit of Isla del Encanto, El Gran Combo brought the pride of Puerto Rico to Musikfest on Friday night.
The iconic salsa group performed a 90-minute set for an energetic crowd at the festival's main Steel Stage.
- Legendary salsa group El Gran Combo performed at Musikfest on Friday
- The well-organized band performed a number of its hits, such as "Brujeria" and "Me Libere"
- The trio of lead singers dazzled fans with their perfectly timed dance moves
Arriving in style shortly after sundown, the salseros appeared in matching attire, as is customary for a Latin orquestra, and the audience jumped to its feet.
The band's roots date to a time when salsa was paving a path to the United States, specifically in New York City.
Onstage, the trio of singers including Rivas, Anthony García and Joselito Hernández danced in perfect unison, winning the hearts of many who screamed in delight.
A longtime member of popular Latin band Cortijo y Su Combo, Rafael Ithier formed El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in 1962 with eight of his former bandmates.
Having recorded 50 albums over six decades, Ithier, 96, is the only remaining original member of the band.
Jerry Rivas, who joined in 1977, mentioned that fact to the crowd as they erupted with cheers and celebration, waving Puerto Ricans flags, when the opening notes of "Me liberé" began to play.
Onstage, the trio of singers including Rivas, Anthony García and Joselito Hernández danced in perfect unison, winning the hearts of many who screamed in delight.
Singing along, dancing to 'Brujeria'
The band is so beloved by the Latino community that tearful members of the audience could be seen FaceTiming friends and family while they recorded clips of their favorite moments to cherish later on.
Fans young and old sang along with the band’s classic hits such as “Ojos Chino,” "Mujer Celosa," "Trampolin," and “El Verano Nuevo York.”
Then something magical happened when the notes of “Brujeria" — perhaps one of El Gran Combo's most recognizable hits — filled the venue, as people began to sing along and dance to the lyrics.
More recently, the song began a viral hit thanks to TikTok and Instagram, introducing El Gran Combo to a new audience. The cross-over tune has more than 50 million plays on Spotify.
Both young and old danced along to the well-organized rhythms of drums, trumpets, keyboards, congas, claves and vibraphones (some even brought their own cowbells to play on the floor).
In between beats, the singers worked the crowd, speaking in Spanish and asking them to represent their respective Latin American countries.
In between beats, the singers worked the crowd, speaking in Spanish and asking them to represent their respective Latin American countries.
Puerto Ricans, who make up the largest segment of the Lehigh Valley's fast-growing population, yelled the loudest as the singers unveiled a giant flag from the island during one of its last songs.
It was a moment of cultural display that summed up why the University of Salsa (the iconic band's moniker) is considered one of the best around.
Lehigh Valley percussionist Pablo Batista opened for the group and performed a number of cover hits, including "Afro Blue" by Mongo Santamaría and "Spain" by Chic Correa.
Batista, an avid fan of El Gran Combo, spoke about his local ties and how much the area has grown since he worked at ArtsQuest’s Banana Factory when it was a distribution center.
