Salsa titan Willie Colón has died at 75, his family confirmed in a statement shared on social media. The Bronx-born trombonist, composer and activist passed away surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a catalogue that reshaped Latin music. A cornerstone of the New York salsa movement and a flagship artist of Fania Records, Colón helped define the genre’s urban edge while fusing jazz, mambo and Caribbean rhythms into a global sound.
Born William Anthony Colón Román, he rose to prominence as a teenager, recording El Malo with Héctor Lavoe and launching one of salsa’s most influential partnerships. His collaborations with Rubén Blades, including the landmark Siembra, expanded the genre’s political and social reach. Over nearly six decades, he released more than 40 albums, sold over 30 million records and earned multiple Grammy nominations.
Colón’s impact extended beyond music. He served on the ASCAP national board, received the Latin Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award and remained active in civic and community causes. His trombone became a symbol of identity and resistance, echoing the Caribbean in New York and far beyond.
Tributes continue to pour in across the music world. As his family noted, while they grieve his loss, they celebrate the timeless gift of his music. Willie Colón’s sound remains woven into the fabric of salsa and the broader Latin music story.