ENDEIT
Willie Colón
Photo: latinustv, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trumpeters · 1950–2026

Willie Colón

American musician

Born
28 April 1950
The Bronx
Died
21 February 2026
The Bronx
Country
United States
Record labels
Fania Records
Discography
42 albums

Biography

Willie Colón was a jazz musician who played trumpet, trombone and voice. Willie Colón was born on 28 April 1950 in The Bronx and died on 21 February 2026 in The Bronx. The music is usually filed under salsa, bolero and boogaloo. Record labels: Fania Records. The discography here lists 42 albums, from “El malo” (1968) to “Amor verdadero” (2020). Honours include International Latin Music Hall of Fame (2001), Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2004) and Latin Grammy Hall of Fame (2007).

William Anthony Colón Román (April 28, 1950 – February 21, 2026) was an American salsa musician and social activist. He began his career as a trombonist but also sang, wrote, produced and acted. Colón was a pioneer of salsa music and a best-selling artist in the genre, having been a key figure in the beginnings of the New York City scene associated with Fania Records. He was also noteworthy for having assumed the gangster image in his album covers before it was culturally popular. From the 1980s on, he was at times deeply involved in the politics of New York City. His hit songs include "Aguanilé" with Hector Lavoe, "Tiburón", and "El gran varón".

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Discography

Studio and live albums

El malo 1968
The Hustler 1968
Cosa nuestra 1969
Guisando (Doing a Job) 1969
The Big Break - La gran fuga 1970
Asalto navideño 1972
El juicio 1972
Asalto navideño, vol. II 1973
Lo mato (Si no compra este LP) 1973
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly 1975
There Goes the Neighborhood: Se chavó el vecindario 1975
El baquiné de angelitos negros 1977
Metiendo mano 1977
Only They Could Have Made This Album 1977
Siembra 1978
Solo 1979
Doble energía 1980
Canciones del solar de los aburridos 1981
Celia y Willie 1981
Fantasmas 1981
Corazón guerrero 1982
The Last Fight 1982
Vigilante 1983
Criollo 1984
Tiempo pa' matar 1984
Contrabando 1986
The Winners 1987
Top Secrets 1989
Color americano 1990
Honra y cultura 1991
Asalto navideño 1992
Hecho en Puerto Rico 1993
Tras la tormenta 1995
Y vuelve otra vez 1995
Demasiado corazón 1998
Idilio 2000
El malo vol. II: Prisioneros del mambo 2008
Siembra Live! 2010 · Live
Live in the Netherlands 2011 · Live
Amor verdadero 2020
Americano latino
El Poliedro de Caracas tembló · Live

Awards

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Willie Colón play?

Willie Colón is known for playing trumpet, trombone and voice.

When and where was Willie Colón born?

Willie Colón was born 28 April 1950 in The Bronx.

What are Willie Colón's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include El malo (1968), The Hustler (1968), Cosa nuestra (1969), Guisando (Doing a Job) (1969) and The Big Break - La gran fuga (1970).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.