Willie Colón, the pioneering trombonist, composer, and bandleader who reshaped salsa music and infused it with a distinctly urban sensibility, died Saturday, . He was 75.
Colón’s passing, confirmed by his family through social media, marks the end of an era for a musician whose career spanned nearly six decades and left an indelible mark on Latin music and American culture. He was nominated for 10 Grammy Awards and one Latin Grammy, and his influence extended far beyond the recording studio, encompassing activism and civic engagement.
Born William Anthony Colón Román in the Bronx, New York, Colón’s musical journey began not with the trombone that would become his signature, but with the flute, bugle, and trumpet. He ultimately found his voice – and a sound that would define a generation – with the trombone, inspired by Barry Rogers’ playing on a Mon Rivera track. As he recalled in a 2011 interview with Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the instrument sounded “like an elephant, a lion… an animal. Something so different that, as soon as I heard it, I said to myself: ‘I want to play that instrument.’”
Colón rose to prominence as a teenager, quickly becoming a key figure in the burgeoning salsa scene centered around Fania Records. The label, founded by Jerry Masucci and Johnny Pacheco, provided a platform for a new sound that blended traditional Latin rhythms with jazz, rock, funk, and soul. Colón’s ability to harmonize these diverse influences, while retaining the nostalgia of Puerto Rican musical traditions like jíbara, bomba, and plena, became his hallmark.
His most celebrated collaboration was with singer-songwriter Rubén Blades. Together, they created “Siembra” in 1978, an album that became one of the best-selling salsa albums of all time. “Siembra” wasn’t just a musical success; it was a cultural touchstone, addressing social issues and reflecting the experiences of Puerto Ricans navigating life in the United States. Blades acknowledged the news of Colón’s death on the social platform X, expressing his condolences to the family.
Colón’s manager, Pietro Carlos, eloquently captured the essence of his legacy: “Willie didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles, and took it to stages where it hadn’t been heard before. His trombone was the voice of the people, an echo of the Caribbean in New York, a bridge between two cultures.”
Beyond his musical achievements, Colón was a dedicated activist and community leader. He championed civil rights, participating in organizations like the Hispanic Arts Association and the Latino Commission on AIDS. He served as a special assistant to New York City Mayor David Dinkins and later to Michael Bloomberg, demonstrating a commitment to public service that ran parallel to his artistic pursuits.
Colón’s political ambitions extended to running for office himself. He unsuccessfully challenged Eliot Engel in a 1994 Democratic primary for a U.S. House seat and finished third in the 2001 Democratic primary for New York City’s public advocate. His political views were complex and sometimes surprising; he supported Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign but later revealed he had voted for Donald Trump in 2016.
He wasn’t afraid to court controversy, publicly clashing with fellow artists and political figures. A falling out with Rubén Blades over a 2003 concert, “Siembra… 25 years later,” led to a legal dispute. He also drew criticism for his outspoken views, including a harsh assessment of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez on social media.
Colón’s talents extended beyond music. He appeared in films like “Vigilante,” “The Last Fight,” and “It Could Happen to You,” and made guest appearances on television shows such as “Miami Vice” and “Demasiado Corazón.” More recently, he was featured in Bad Bunny’s music video for “NuevaYol,” demonstrating his continued relevance to contemporary artists.
Colón’s extensive discography includes such well-known songs as “El gran varón,” “Sin poderte hablar,” “Casanova,” “Amor verdad,” and “Oh, qué será.” His music continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, a testament to his enduring artistry and cultural impact.
He is survived by his wife and four sons. His legacy as a musical innovator, a cultural ambassador, and a passionate advocate for his community will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations to come.
