Salsa Musician Willie Colón Dies at 75

Willie Colón, the influential American salsa musician known for his trombone-driven sound and collaborations that shaped the genre, died on Saturday morning. He was 75. His family announced the death on his Facebook page, stating that Colón passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones, though no cause was specified.

Born William Anthony Colón Román on April 28, 1950, in New York City's South Bronx, Colón was raised by his Puerto Rican grandmother after his father faced repeated incarcerations and his mother was just 16. His early exposure to music came through her, who bought him a trumpet for his 11th birthday. A neighbor taught him to play, and by 14, he had switched to the trombone for its bold tone. He began performing at weddings and events, and at 16, he shadowed bandleader Mon Rivera in nightclubs, earning the nickname "el Americanito" during impromptu sets.

Colón's professional breakthrough arrived at 17 with his 1967 debut album, El Malo, on Fania Records, featuring the vocalist Héctor Lavoe. The record captured the raw energy of New York's emerging salsa scene, blending Caribbean rhythms with influences from American pop, funk, rock, R&B, and jazz. This sound...