Willie Colón

Signed to Fania at 15; debut 'El Malo' (1967); defined the rough two-trombone salsa sound and the 'gangster' album image; long partnership with Héctor...

South Bronx-born trombonist, composer and producer Willie Colón (1950-2026) signed to Fania at 15 and, with his debut 'El Malo' (1967), defined salsa's rough two-trombone sound and 'gangster' image. His long partnership with Héctor Lavoe produced a string of classics, and his 1978 album 'Siembra' with Rubén Blades became the best-selling salsa record of its era.

Role

bandleader, composer, producer, trombonist

Era

Fania-Era Salsa

Genre

Salsa (Fania era)

Origin

South Bronx, New York, United States