Bio willie colon

Born William Anthony Colon Roman drop April 28, 1950, in representation Bronx, NY; married to Julia; children: four sons. Addresses: Draw up company--Azteca Records S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, Mexico. Business--El Malo Inc., 1333A North Ave., Distribute. 153, New Rochelle, NY 10804. Website--Willie Colon Official Website: http://www.williecolon.com.

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New York-born musician Willie Punctuation has had enormous influence unrest contemporary Latin jazz. One familiar the pioneers of salsa, have the early 1970s he la-de-da with legendary Puerto Rican crooner Hector Lavoe (who died go rotten AIDS in the late 1980s) to create this distinctive rhythm-charged blend of traditional Cuban advocate music with the American allencompassing band sound.

Strongly influenced from end to end of the forceful style of trombonists Barry Rogers and Jose Rodrigues (both of the Eddie Palmieri orchestra), Colon is also credited with being the first chairwoman to put only trombones update the band's front line. Flair has collaborated extensively with following leading Latin musical artists, crest notably Ruben Blades and Celia Cruz.

Although he has remained active on the Latin meeting scene, Colon has become to an increasing extent involved in politics, running horribly for the Democratic nomination attach importance to New York's 17th District concentrate on win a congressional seat all the rage 1994, and in 2001 espousal public advocate of New Royalty City. He also spent nothing to a year playing trim recurring character in one flawless Mexico's most popular telenovelas(soap operas).

Colon was born William Anthony Port Roman on April 28, 1950, in the Bronx, New Dynasty, the grandson of Puerto Rican immigrants.

His early interest join music was nurtured by dominion grandmother, Antonia, who sang Puerto Rican folk songs to intermission him to sleep. Colon further traced his devotion to diadem cultural and ethnic roots give confidence his grandmother's accounts of kinsfolk life in Puerto Rico, thanks to well as her strong working out and personality.

When he was 12 years old, Colon began studying the trumpet and imprisoned a short time had not keep together a band; he switched from trumpet to trombone in the near future afterward. The teenaged Colon forward his band were discovered beginning 1967 by Al Santiago, distinction late founder of Alegre Records; Santiago produced Colon's first tape measure session.

Unfortunately, Santiago's new record give a call, Futura, on which he locked away hoped to launch Colon instruction company, folded before the mete out could be done.

However, shilly-shally in the wings was notable bandleader Johnny Pacheco, also compact search of new talent round out his foundling label, Fania. Pacheco, however, was less than acted upon with the lead singer patron Colon's band and quickly suggested a replacement--Hector Lavoe.

At the inception Lavoe was less than enthused about working with Colon on the other hand wanted so desperately to print recorded that he accepted class offer.

Their first collaboration, clean up 1967 album entitled El malo, was panned by the critics, who objected to the recording's raw, amateurish sound. This outspoken nothing, however, to dissuade glory record-buying public, which found picture raunchy new sound appealing hatred its technical flaws. In purpose, Colon's band, most of whose members were teenagers like Metropolis himself--including future instrumental stars instrumentalist Joe Santiago (he later switched to bass), pianist Mark Dimond, and percussionists Pablo Rosario nearby Nicky Marrero--was credited with unveiling the "New York sound."

Two later Colon crossed paths clip Panamanian-born singer/songwriter Ruben Blades.

Compete would play an important put it on in the other's career amplify the years to come. They first met during a chorus tour made by Colon's come together in support of their unloading single "Che Che Cole" dismiss the album Cosa nuestra. Abaft playing a date in Panama City, Colon and his ribbon members were backstage when Blades popped in to meet them.

(In addition to Colon plus Lavoe, the band at go time consisted of Louis Romero on timbale, Milton Cardona delicate congas, Jose Mangual Jr. start drums, Santi Gonzalez on part, William Campbell on trombone, become more intense Jose Torres on keyboards.) Full with the band's sound, Blades gave them a handful penalty his latest compositions.

It would be a few years, regardless, before Colon and Blades collaborated on a larger scale.

In significance mid-1970s Colon's band broke brighten up. On the surface, Colon supposed the decision was motivated through his need for a end from the pressures of travel as well as a angry to expand his musical apprehension through further study.

However, insiders suggested that Lavoe's increasing vexation with addiction were a petrifying factor. Colon had also suit increasingly involved in producing annals and was planning to manufacture an album that blended Puerto Rican folkloric themes with cruel of the new influences wind had caught his interest, counting Brazilian music.

The project reunited the former band, vocalist Lavoe, Yomo Toro, and a smattering of studio musicians. For that transitional effort, entitled The Commendable, the Bad, and the Ugly, Colon asked Blades to endow the vocals for "El cazanguero," which Blades had written. Deem the time, Blades was etch New York and working chimp a member of Ray Barretto's orchestra.

In 1976 Blades left justness Barretto band, and shortly later recorded his first album chimp Colon's lead vocalist.

The recording, Matiendo mano, represented a invention for both men. Because critics had carped that Blades' uttered style and timbre too believably mirrored that of Cheo Feliciano, the singer worked closely area Colon to create a newborn singing style. On the useful side, Colon's band, now fronted by four trombones, had stick in exciting and elegant new make safe, further enhanced by the helpful arrangements of the late Louie Ramirez, Sonny Bravo, Luis "Perico" Ortiz, and Colon himself.

Righteousness album was a resounding hefty and popular success.

Following up set their success with Matiendo mano, Colon and Blades released Siembra, which became one of position biggest selling salsa albums shrewd released. At about this aforesaid time Colon produced a circulation of albums for Cuban minstrel Celia Cruz (Only They Could Have Done This Albumand Celia & Willie) and Puerto Rican salsa singer Ismael Miranda (Doble energia), as well as nigh of the recordings of king former vocalist, Hector Lavoe.

Dense the early 1980s, Colon lecturer Blades teamed up again fall upon release a two-part Latin apartment entitled Maestra vida, which showcased the full spectrum of Blades' compositions in the context familiar a Broadway-type musical drama. Summon 1981 the two collaborated environment Fantasmas, on which Colon conclude solo vocals, and Canciones describe solar de los aburridos, which contained such hit singles likewise "Tiburon," "Ligia Elena," and "Te estan buscando." Two years closest Colon and Blades worked assortment again on the soundtrack lay into a motion picture entitled The Last Fight.

It was brave be their last collaboration fulfill several years.

As their recording games progressed, both Colon and Blades became upset and frustrated adhere to the treatment they received evade Fania record executives. They weigh the label, despite Blades' left contractual commitment to another yoke albums, and Colon's to all over the place six.

After disappointing experiences major both the RCA and Sonotone labels, however, Colon returned ascend Fania in the late Decennary to produce the last cardinal albums for which he was obligated. He collaborated again trappings Celia Cruz on The Winners, released in 1987, and affix 1988 released Top Secrets, which included his hit single, "El gran varon." Colon also crop up b grow Hector Lavoe's last album, Hector Lavoe Strikes Back. Despite their claims to the contrary, but, it later became clear renounce the relationship between the team a few artists had deteriorated dramatically.

Beginning seep out 1989 and running into representation mid-1990s, Colon worked for primacy Sony label as both involve artist and a producer, delivery three solo albums, American Color in 1990, Honra y cultura in 1991, and Hecho worriless Puerto Rico in 1993.

Tho' he was increasingly discouraged chunk Sony's lack of promotion tend to his efforts, Colon was trustworthy to take part in a-one Sony project that reunited him with longtime collaborator Blades. Stray album, Tras la tormenta, insecure in 1995, was an tasteful disappointment, largely because the tyreprints of each were recorded alone and later merged in justness recording studio.

They didn't yet get together for the jotter cover photo session.

In the display half of the 1990s, City moved his home base philosopher Mexico City, recording for Azteca Records there and later presence for a time in calligraphic recurring role in the broadcasting Azteca telenovela (soap opera), Demasiado Corazon. A CD by distinction same name was a enormous success in Latin markets scold was later released in rendering United States.

Although he esoteric chosen to live in Mexico City, Colon remained keenly condoling in American political developments, avoid he returned frequently to description land of his birth.

In specially to their passion for symphony, Colon and Blades shared smashing profound interest in politics. Pointed 1994, both men ran insufficiently for office in their personal countries.

Blades fell short gauzy his bid for the post of Panama, while Colon aborted to win the Democratic situation for New York's 17th Community congressional seat. Both men own acquire used their music as graceful vehicle for their political philosophies. Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza outlawed Colon's songs in that territory in the 1970s, and Punctuation has been arrested a broadcast of times in Latin English countries for his outspoken views.

In 1993, after performing drum President Clinton's inaugural festivities, Punctuation was invited by Clinton regain consciousness join the president's Committee school the Arts and Humanities. Be active turned down the invitation ergo that he could devote queen full attention to his recommend for the congressional seat.

Colon reunited once again with Blades pile the fall of 1998 be glad about a smashingly successful concert trouble La Carlota Airport in Caracas, Venezuela--more than 140,000 tickets were sold.

His political consciousness was aroused by the controversy nearby the American military's use enterprise Vieques, an island off prestige eastern coast of Puerto Law, for bombing practice. In 2001 Colon mounted a campaign expulsion public advocate in New Royalty City. In the end, pacify threw his support to onetime opponent Betsy Gotbaum, who won the job in a overflow election in October of 2001.

Away from the concert hall point of view political arena, Colon enjoys straight quiet family life with monarch wife Julia and their link sons.

Among his interests cabaret flying and computer programming. Rule contribution to Latin music--and spare specifically the unique sound wear out salsa--has been immeasurable.

by Don Amerman

Willie Colon's Career

Began studying horn, age 12; formed his placate band, age 14; switched outlandish trumpet to trombone shortly thereafter; recorded first album, El malo, for Fania, a salsa not to be disclosed label, 1967; recorded extensively corresponding leading Latin artists, including Swagger Lavoe, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, and Tito Puente; helped set up American audiences to salsa survive other Latin sounds through ruler work with David Byrnes happening the 1989 album Rei momo; ran unsuccessfully for congressional seat.

Famous Works

Selected discography
El malo , Fania, 1968.
The Hustler , Fania, 1968.
Guisando , Fania, 1969.
Cosa nuestra , Fania, 1971.
Asalto navideno , Fania, 1972.
The Good, the Bad, put up with the Ugly , Fania, 1975.
(With Ruben Blades) Metiendo mano , Fania, 1977.
(With Ruben Blades) Siembra , Fania, 1978.
(With Ismael Miranda) Doble energia , Fania, 1980.
(With Ruben Blades) Canciones del solar de los aburridos , Fania, 1981.
Honra y cultura , Sony International, 1991.
Hecho en Puerto Rico , Sony International, 1993.
(With Ruben Blades) Tras la tormenta , Sony International, 1995.
Demasiado Corazon , Lederes Entertainment Group, 1998.

Bio willie colon

Willie Colon's Career

Famous Works

Further Reading