American salsa icon, Willie Colón, the legendary trombonist, vocalist, and composer, passed away on Saturday at the age of 75, his family announced in a statement.
“While we grieve his absence, we also rejoice in the timeless gift of his music and the cherished memories he created that will live on forever,” the family said on Colon’s Facebook page.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Colón built a career spanning decades, recording numerous albums such as La Gran Fuga (The Big Break) in 1970 and El Juicio in 1972, according to Fania Records, the label that helped popularize salsa music.
He joined Fania at just 15 years old and released his debut album, El Malo, two years later in 1967, a record that has sold over 300,000 copies, according to his biography on the LA Philharmonic website.
Colón’s work was known for blending jazz, rock, and salsa while incorporating rhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Africa.
The biography notes, “A significant overarching theme in Colón’s music, which draws from many cultures and several different styles, is an exploration of the competing associations that Puerto Ricans have with their home and with the United States.”
“He uses his songs to depict and investigate the problems of living in the U.S. as a Puerto Rican and also to imply the cultural contributions that Puerto Ricans have to offer,” it added.
In recognition of his contributions, Colón received a lifetime achievement award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2004.
Beyond music, Colón was a committed social activist, serving with the Latino Commission on AIDS, the United Nations Immigrant Foundation, and as a board member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, according to his biography.
