Biography of willie colon

Who is Willie Colón? A Brief Career Overview

Willie Colón, also known as William Anthony Colón Román, is a groundbreaking salsa musician, trombonist, singer, songwriter, and producer whose dynamic presence has left an indelible mark on Latin music. Born in the vibrant South Bronx on April 28, 1950, Colón is widely recognized as a pioneer of the salsa genre, helping to shape its sound during the cultural explosion of the 1960s and 1970s. With a career that spans over five decades, he has become synonymous with the rich rhythms of salsa and has showcased his talents through various mediums, including acting and social activism.

Colón's work is characterized by its unique blend of jazz influences, tropical beats, and socially conscious themes. His albums often push boundaries, and he is celebrated for his ability to address issues of identity and culture, particularly among Puerto Ricans living in the United States. As an iconic figure in the world of vinyl, many of Colón's releases have become sought-after collectibles, appealing not just to salsa aficionados but also to vinyl lovers who appreciate the warmth and authenticity of his music.

Willie Colón's Early Life and Background

Growing up in a Puerto Rican family, Willie Colón's upbringing in the South Bronx played a significant role in shaping his musical identity. Immersed in a culture rich with musical traditions, he developed an early interest in music when he began playing the trumpet. His passion for the trombone emerged in his teenage years, inspired by the distinct sound of musicians like Mon Rivera and Barry Rogers.

Colón spent summers in the beautiful landscapes of Puerto Rico, which further enriched his cultural perspective. These formative experiences instilled a deep connection to his heritage and were crucial in his development as an artist. The vibrant music scene of New York City, combined with his love for vinyl records, allowed him to nurture hi

Like many of his boricua compatriots, Willie Colón was born and raised in the heart of the Latin neighborhood of the Bronx. It was this very neighborhood where he drank from the fountain of teen angst, sharing with his compatriots his sorrows and aspirations. This inspired in him a profound devotion to his cultural roots.

Musician, composer, arranger, singer, producer, director, and community leader: Colón wore all of these hats, gaining recognition as both an artist and a human being.

He started out in the music business at such a young age that his mother had to sign his first contract for him. Ever since then his career has covered all facets of music, as proven by his prolific discography, which boasts more than 30 million records sold. Such sales earned him countless gold and silver-selling albums, as well as several Grammy nominations.

Colón is also known for his participation on albums with such names as Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe, and many others.

Willie Colón, known for his excellence, and well aware of the power and influence he held over the mass media, established himself as a civil- and community-rights leader. For his contributions, he won recognition and awards, such as the plaque that bears his name on the Bronx’s “Walk of Fame.” It was this very city that was birthplace and home to many of his compatriots who came to the United States in search of a better future.

William Anthony Colón Román, Bronx-born of Puerto Rican grandparents , has fused his musical talent, his passion for humanity, and his community and political activism into an extraordinary, multifaceted career as a trombonist, arranger and salsa pioneer.

His achievements in all his activities are widely recognized. As musician, composer, arranger, singer, and trombonist, as well as producer and director, he has created dozens of recordings that have sold over ten million records worldwide. As director of the band "Legal Alien," he won 11 Grammy nominations, fifteen gold and five platinum records, and collaborated with such musical greats as Rubén Blades, David Byrne, Hector LaVoe, and Celia Cruz.

His music, which has greatly influenced modern Latin jazz, reflects both rhythmic traditional lyrics and the cries of farewell and hope from a new generation pressured to abandon their homeland to congregate in urban America. An excellent example is the song Atrapado. Colón learned many lyrics from his grandmother Antonia, as she rocked him to sleep during his childhood in the heart of the Puerto Rican Bronx. Her strong beliefs and personality also powerfully influenced his devotion to his cultural roots.

During his musical and cultural odyssey from the Bronx to the world scene, he moved from a fascination with the tropical paradise of his ancestors to the stark street images of rebellious youth and social struggle and finally to a mature fusion of joy and injustice, beauty and suffering, romance and realism. ~ Music of Puerto Rico

Producer, Trombone player, composer, and bandleader, Willie Colon is one of the pioneers of Latin American music. Despite initial criticism, Colon's album El Malo has become known as one of the first albums to feature the "New York Sound" that sparked a renewed interest in Latin music during the 1970s. Colon has been instrumental in the careers of such Latin musicians as Rub�n Blades, who first sang with Colon's band in 1975, and Celia Cruz, for whom Colon has produced such albums as Only They Could Have Done This Album in 1977 and the highly successful duet album Celia & Willie in 1981.

Colon has also produced albums for Ismael Miranda, Sophy, Soledad Bravo, and the late Hector Lavoe, who sang with his band in the early '70s. Inspired by the music of various cultures, Colon has recorded with such musicians as Puerto Rican cuatro player Yomo Toro and David Byrne. Colon's composition "Che Che Cole," adapted from a Ghanaian children's song, was used by Ntozake Shange in the musical play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.

In addition to 11 Grammy nominations and one Grammy award, Colon has received a CHUBB fellowship from Yale University, the most prestigious award given by the Ivy League school. Colon ran for the United States Congress, representing New York's 17th Congressional District, in 1992.

Starting to play the trumpet at the age of 12, Colon switched to the trombone two years later. Making his recording debut in 1967, for Al Santiago's Futura label, Colon became a victim of misfortune when the label folded. Colon was much more successful when he signed with Johnny Pacheco's Fania label. When his vocalist failed to make Colon's first session for the label, Pacheco suggested Hector Lavoe as a replacement. The collaboration proved fruitful when two singles from Colon's first two albums (El Malo, Guisando) -- "Jazzy" and "I Wi